Starting with Proficiency Panel-Chapter 654: See the truth tomorrow morning (new book content)

"Li Qing, are you free to watch a movie this weekend? I found a really good horror film called 'Zhenzi vs. the Gourd Kids.' I heard it's been getting rave reviews recently! I really want to see it, but I'm too scared to go alone, will you come with me? Pretty please."

"Sorry, I have to play Luke on the weekend, can't make it."

Li Qing looked at the message from the woman he had marked with a red heart, a 'smile' emoji shining back at him.

He wondered what he might have said wrong for her to reply with a 'smile' emoji, clearly indicating doom. After all, he was doing important things, making money to save for a down payment, right?

He actually liked this woman a lot, even though she was three years older than him... But as the saying goes, 'a woman three years older is like holding a golden brick,' right?

"Sigh!"

He let out a deep sigh, then silently opened his phone's browser, navigated some familiar website, and reached for the tissues nearby...

To wipe the oil off the corner of his mouth.

He watched the fiery video clip on Little Broken Station on his phone and sighed long qi once more.

Today was his thirtieth birthday. People say thirty signifies independence, but looking at himself today, it was just thirty.

The slightly messy rental room had a table to one side with leftover takeout, old posters on the walls, clothes thrown about, and a computer monitor still glowing with some live stream playing.

This was a typical single man's room, messy but with a certain organized chaos, everything placed in ways only Li Qing knew well.

Looking back at the content of the live stream on the computer, Li Qing touched his own face.

"I don't look too bad, so how is it possible I still haven't found a girlfriend by now, it's really…"

To speak the truth, it was tough. From childhood, Li Qing's entire being seemed to exude just two words.

Mediocrity!

Even though his look was clean and fair, seemingly gentlemanly, which should be a plus, and his friends had introduced him to many women, as soon as they saw each other, there was a mutual affection. But once they began conversing, this vague affection dissipated into nothingness.

Completely gone.

Li Qing found this frustrating. He consulted many female friends, asked around, and even simulated scenarios.

The unanimous conclusion was that there was something wrong with the way Li Qing talked—in other words, he was as hard as steel, comparable to the latest ultra-hard alloy.

His words could kill in the most invisible way, the damage to women was maxed out.

As a result, those well-meaning female friends, after simulating conversation scenarios with Li Qing, didn't talk to him for three days straight.

Thinking of this, Li Qing felt distressed. He wanted to do something practical, but whenever he set out to do it, it was a complete mess, just a lot of wild antics.

Thinking about this, as he was getting up to tackle a couple more bites of takeout, his phone suddenly vibrated.

Li Qing paused his movement, looking at the strangely displayed caller ID with some doubt. Who would call at this hour? Did someone remember his birthday?

No, no, it couldn't be. His parents had vanished when he was fourteen, never to be heard from again. He had lived alone ever since, and to make life in this super metropolis more comfortable, he had rented out his own house and rented a single room for himself.

Aside from that, no one would know today was his thirtieth birthday.

Maybe it's a work-related matter.

He reluctantly picked up the call.

"Hello?"

"Buzz buzz buzz…"

Listening to the static coming across the line, Li Qing frowned slightly. Just as he was about to hang up, a male voice suddenly came through.

"Hello, hello, is this Mr. Li Qing?"

Hearing the voice that seemed jittery yet filled with laughter, Li Qing had a clue.

Probably someone's prank.

Li Qing replied casually, "Yes, this is he. And you are?"

"Oh my, congratulations indeed! You're the luckiest person in the world, you know that? Oh, oh, first of all, let me wish you a happy thirtieth birthday, and also a celebration for thirty years of being single, puhahaha…"

The male voice seemed to chuckle uncontrollably, almost breaking into laughter.

Li Qing was displeased: "Is it so funny for you that I've been single for thirty years?"

"No, no, I just thought of something joyous."

"What's that?"

"My wife had a baby…"

Li Qing couldn't stand it: "Do you think I haven't seen movies? Please don't bring these worn-out jokes here, okay? Don't go overboard; I suggest you take mouse tail juice!"

Just as he was about to hang up, the other side quickly said, "Wait… I haven't finished talking. This call could change your life. Aren't you willing to spend some time listening?"

Li Qing hesitated, then suppressed his anger and said, "Go on."

The person cleared his throat and introduced himself, "My name is Zhuang Xu, an admissions tutor at Gray Magic Academy. Congratulations on meeting the qualifications and successfully being admitted to our school… Mmm, I believe the admission letter will soon be mailed to you…"

"… What the heck, Magic Academy?"

Li Qing was puzzled; if this was a scam, at least use some normal language. These words sounded like an NT possession.

Hearing this, Li Qing's interest was piqued; it was his first time receiving such a scam call.

"So you tell me, for what reason exactly did I qualify to enter this Magic School?"

Zhuang Xu's voice turned serious, "Have you heard the legend that if a man keeps his innocence until thirty, he can become a mage and use magic?"

Li Qing was stunned, "Wha… what the heck?"

"It's true, if a male remains single until thirty, he can switch to becoming a mage, learning various magic. Believe me, this is your turning point in life, don't..."

Click!

Li Qing hung up the phone expressionlessly. This lunatic, who knows from where he got his phone number, purposely called today to make fun of him.

Thud thud thud!

Li Qing was slightly stunned. Turning to look at the window, he was startled, seeing a black silhouette perched on the window ledge, its glowing green eyes intently watching him.

Its head bobbed up and down, making a 'thud thud thud' sound.

Suddenly, an eerie atmosphere enveloped him, sending shivers up his spine and making his legs so weak he could barely stand.

Gulp!

Li Qing swallowed hard and stood frozen for about thirty seconds. Seeing it make no movement, he mustered up the courage and slowly approached.

When he got close, Li Qing breathed a sigh of relief and swore, "Scared the hell out of me!"

It was an owl, but it was completely black with no other color. Its humanlike eyes resembled two inlaid black gems, looking at him with contempt.