Starting with Proficiency Panel-Chapter 663: See the truth in 2 hours (leisure new book content)

"Li Qing, do you want to go to the movies this weekend? I found a really great horror film, it's called Zhenzi vs. Gourd Kids, I've heard it's been getting tons of positive reviews lately! I'm dying to watch it, but I'm too scared to go alone. Will you accompany me, pretty please?"

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

Li Qing looked mournfully at the 'smile' emoji sent by the woman marked with a red heart on his phone.

He couldn't figure out what he said wrong, for the other person to send such a deadly 'smile' emoji back. He was clearly handling serious business, working hard to save for a down payment.

He had always really liked this woman, even though she was three years older than him... but as the saying goes, 'three years older, a treasure to hold', right?

"Sigh!"

He let out a deep sigh, then silently opened his phone browser, skillfully navigated to a certain website, and reached for the tissue box nearby…

to wipe the grease off the corner of his mouth.

He watched the blood-pumping video clips on a little broken site on his phone, silently letting out another long sigh.

Today was his thirtieth birthday. People always say 'at thirty, a man stands on his own', but for him, it was just thirty, nothing else.

The slightly messy rental apartment, with leftover takeout on the table beside him, old posters on the walls, clothes lying about casually, and the computer monitor glowing with a livestream on a platform.

This was a typical single man's apartment: chaotic, yet with an order he was familiar with.

Glancing at the livestream on the computer, Li Qing touched his face.

"I don't look too bad, do I? How come I still haven't found a girlfriend? Really…"

It's genuinely frustrating. Since childhood, Li Qing's entire being only conveyed one thing:

Mediocrity!

Despite having a fair and gentle appearance, which helped his case, and though he had been introduced to many by friends, any initial mutual attraction faded into nothing during conversations.

Not a bit left.

This troubled Li Qing a lot. He consulted many female friends around him, asked questions, and even simulated scenarios.

In the end, the consensus was that Li Qing's way of speaking was wrong; in other words, he was sturdier than steel, comparable to the newest type of ultra-hard alloy.

His words were like an invisible dagger, capable of inflicting lethal damage to women.

Those enthusiastic female friends didn't talk to him for three days after simulating conversation with him.

Thinking about this, Li Qing felt troubled. He wished to do something about it, but everything he tried ended in a mess, causing more problems than solutions.

Just as he was about to get up to finish off some more takeout, his phone suddenly vibrated.

Li Qing paused, looking at the unusual incoming call, feeling a bit puzzled. Who would call at this hour? Could it be someone remembered his birthday?

No, no, definitely not. His parents disappeared when he was fourteen and have been unreachable since. He's been living alone ever since and, to make city life easier, he even rented his own house and moved into a single room.

Besides, no one would know it was his thirtieth birthday today.

Maybe it's something work-related.

He reluctantly picked up the call.

"Hello?"

"Zzzzzz..."

Listening to the static from the phone, Li Qing frowned and was about to hang up when a male voice suddenly came through.

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

Hearing the voice filled with laughter, Li Qing had a guess.

Probably someone's prank.

Li Qing responded calmly, "That's me. Who's this?"

"Ah, congratulations! Do you know you're the luckiest person in the world... Oh oh, firstly, happy thirtieth birthday! It's also your thirtieth singles anniversary, hahahaha..."

The male voice couldn't help laughing, almost losing his composure.

This made Li Qing's face darken. "Is it really so funny that I've been single for thirty years?"

"No, no, I was just reminded of something happy."

"What's that?"

"My wife gave birth..."

Li Qing couldn't take it anymore. "Do you think I've never seen a movie? Stop bringing these cliché jokes to mess with me! Don't overdo it – I suggest you tone it down!"

Just as he was about to hang up, the caller quickly said, "Wait... I'm not finished yet. This is a call to change your life. Don't you want to hear it out?"

Li Qing hesitated, then tamped down his anger. "Go ahead."

The caller cleared his throat and introduced himself, "My name is Zhuang Xu, an admission tutor at the Gray Magic Academy. Congratulations, you've qualified and been accepted by our school... Uh, the admission letter should arrive at your place soon."

"... What nonsense, a Magic Academy?"

Li Qing felt confused. If you're going to lie, at least make it believable. This was some real nonsense.

Hearing this, Li Qing got interested. It was his first time receiving such a scam call.

"Why don't you tell me why I qualified to get into this Magic School?"

Zhuang Xu's voice suddenly turned serious, "Have you heard the legend? If a man retains his virginity until thirty, he can become a Mage and wield magic."

Li Qing was stunned, "Wha... What nonsense?"

"It's true. A single man at thirty can transition to a Mage and learn magic. Trust me; this is your turning point in life, don't..."

Click!

Li Qing, expressionless, hung up the phone. That lunatic actually went out of their way to prank him on this day.

Knock knock knock!

Li Qing froze, turned to look at the window, and was startled to see a shadow perched on the window ledge, with a pair of glowing green eyes staring at him.

The head bobbed with each 'knock knock' sound.

An eerie and creepy atmosphere abruptly rose in his chest, making his skin crawl, his legs almost giving out beneath him.

Gulp!

Swallowing hard, Li Qing stood frozen for about thirty seconds, and seeing no movement from that thing, he mustered up the courage to inch his way over.

Once he got closer, he breathed a sigh of relief and cursed, "Scared the hell out of me!"

It was an owl, an entirely black-feathered one with no other colors. Its eyes were exceptionally human-like, like two black gemstones, staring at him with a contemptuous gaze.