Starting with Proficiency Panel-Chapter 660: See the real - tomorrow morning (new book content)

As for the "Magic Rune Introduction" and "Mage Promotion Path," Li Qing merely skimmed through them. Magic runes are mostly about arranging magic arrays and enchantments. While they can be studied, the current focus remains on learning Level 0 Magic.

The Mage Promotion Path simply discusses the standards of the mage hierarchy and the various paths derived from magic.

Paths like Demon Swordmaster, Warlock, Priest, Knights, among dozens of career paths.

For Li Qing at the moment, it is utterly meaningless unless he reaches the level of an Advanced Magic Apprentice and has the leisure to research these for career advancement.

While pondering, halfway through, a voice suddenly came from the side.

"Are you heading to the library, my fellow student from the human world?"

Li Qing, startled awake, turned back to see someone in a black robe and relaxed again. Walking along a misty, barely visible path, he couldn't help but feel eerie.

Although Gray Magic Academy forbids fighting among students, the other party, carrying an air of deception, approached with seemingly no good intentions.

The figure was hunched and large, though still stood at least 1.9 meters tall.

Li Qing keenly noticed he mentioned "fellow student from the human world," further confirming his suspicions.

Li Qing calmly asked, "Do you need something, fellow student?"

"Hey~ Don't be so wary of everything. You humans are like that, holding immense hostility towards beings different from humans."

He shrugged, speaking with a lighthearted tone, "I'm Hemertos, and you?"

"… Blind Monk."

"Blind Monk? That's an odd name, sounds like you're blind." Hemertos pointed to himself with pride, "Listen to my name, Hemertos!"

Li Qing casually asked, "Does it mean anything where you come from?"

"Of course, I, Hemertos, shall eventually return from the Abyss, sweep away all hostile to me, and slay everything that I loathe!"

Hemertos spoke in a low tone, the words dripping with blood-scented menace that unsettled Li Qing.

"That's quite… a formidable meaning."

"And you, why did you come to Gray?"

Up until now, Li Qing was unsure what Gray Magic Academy truly represented, only that Gray was definitely a synonym for evil.

He glanced at the gray, gloomy weather and the surrounding environment so dismal it made one feel like they'd arrived in the Underworld, mist spreading everywhere, and the distant buildings were hazy and indistinct.

He could guarantee that without the badge, he would definitely get lost in this ghostly place.

"Of course, to learn magic."

"Ha?!"

Hemertos reacted as if hearing something utterly unbelievable, muttering after a while, "A human came to Gray to learn magic, what a colossal joke. Don't you know Gray is a place only Devils would come to?"

Li Qing's heart twitched, yet he replied calmly, "You can learn unique magic here."

"Hmm, you're indeed right, since Gray specializes in dealing with Devils."

He laughed shrilly, "Up till now, I've eaten several Devils already."

Li Qing remained silent, shocked, startled, completing a series of expressions before expressing doubt.

Devils, can they be eaten?

When they reached the library, Hemertos waved, "Nice meeting you, Blind Monk, now I'm going into the library, so, good luck."

Without waiting for Li Qing's reply, Hemertos pushed open the library's age-old doors, carved with countless patterns, and stepped into the shadows without hesitation.

That's strange, we both entered the library, yet he wishes me good luck?

Li Qing gazed at the heavy gray stone, castle-like library building ahead. The vast structure's layered, gray stone tones made the building seem dreary and somber.

This isn't a library; it's entirely the entrance to the Nazarick Underground Tomb!

Taking a step onto the stairs, Li Qing reached the library's door, filled with peculiar engravings, silently waxing sarcastic in his mind.

As soon as he touched it lightly, the badge lit up dramatically, intense magic ripples spread out continuously, connecting to the engravings on the door.

Buzz!

A barely audible sound came from the door, then all magic ripples dissipated, and the door opened silently.

The scene inside was unclear, as if everything were swallowed by shadows, remaining indistinct and vague.

Mysterious, dark, filled with offensive aura.

Despite the inner repulsion, Li Qing still stepped inside firmly, one step at a time.

Boom!

The library's silent closing sound echoed, prompting Li Qing to glance back. He stood awhile, waiting until his vision adjusted to the surroundings, seeing rows of countless book-laden shelves stretching into the distant darkness, an unknown gloomy light source illuminating them just enough to discern them.

Where is Hemertos?

Li Qing silently scanned the area, not paying much attention immediately. In Gray, everyone had their secrets; he just needed to mind his own. He was about to approach the shelves when a familiar voice sounded nearby.

"Friendly reminder, human student: attempting to view high-level magic books without adequate strength might get you eaten~"

This tone, this mocking voice, was unmistakably Zhuang Xu.

Turning his head, eyes wide, looking into the corner shadows, he saw the outline of a desk, behind which Zhuang Xu, in a black robe, almost blended with the darkness.

Li Qing cautiously said, "Oh, it's Mentor Zhuang Xu, hello!"

Appearing like a slender ghostly figure, Zhuang Xu laughed bizarrely, leaned forward until Li Qing could see him clearly.

With hands folded on the desk, Zhuang Xu's crimson eyes observed Li Qing with interest from top to bottom.

After a moment, he spoke with a curious gaze, "You seem to have gathered Magic Power?"

Suddenly standing up, his nearly 2.5-meter tall, thin figure exerting a certain pressure, making the air around tense.

Li Qing stood alone, hands tightly gripping beneath the sleeves, unmoving, as Zhuang Xu, seemingly sniffing the air, loomed.

After a while, Zhuang Xu reseated himself.

"Interesting… you've sparked quite an interest in me, providing a new twist to my otherwise dull days." Zhuang Xu lowered his hands, intrigued, "So, what talents did the short-lived humans, like you at thirty, awaken as a mage?"

Without waiting for Li Qing's response, he shrugged, "Alright, enough of that, what brings you to the library? What are you looking for?"