Starting with Proficiency Panel-Chapter 669: See the truth tomorrow noon (new book content)

The first thing that caught the eye was a wide avenue paved with ochre bricks, lined with towering, unnamed trees. Their leaves moved despite the absence of wind, as if they were swaying to a rhythmic breath.

It might seem like an odd description, but that was the impression Li Qing got.

These trees were alive.

About fifty meters down this avenue stood an elaborate gateway. At a glance, it seemed to be constructed from red bricks meticulously stacked, with two large iron gates swung open, and a towering, spire-like building loomed into view.

To Li Qing, the whole Magic Academy exuded gloom and malevolence, like a massive beast lurking in wait, ready to devour.

Most strikingly, although it was clearly midnight, here it appeared to be daytime.

Yes, it was daytime, though the sky was oppressively dark, and Li Qing felt it concealed something within its depths.

"Is this the legendary Gray Magic Academy?"

A sharp and excited voice from beside him snapped Li Qing back to attention.

As he focused on the academy, he realized that at some point, groups of threes and fours had quietly gathered, with around a dozen people standing behind him.

These people were all clad in black robes, with hoods obscuring their faces in shadow, making them hard to discern.

While they were discussing the Gray Magic Academy, Li Qing discreetly edged backward and blended into the crowd.

Standing too prominently in front was never Li Qing's style; he preferred avoiding the spotlight.

After a while, a person in a black robe moved forward, and seeing all fourteen begin to act, Li Qing silently followed suit.

In unfamiliar surroundings, the last thing one should do is anything too attention-grabbing.

The nail that sticks out gets hammered down.

This was a lesson Li Qing had learned over years in the workplace. He was aware of his capabilities and knew where to position himself, always ensuring he wasn't conspicuous yet indispensable.

Thus, since graduation, his life had been largely untroubled.

"Jes, why do we have to wear this black robe and keep our hoods up?"

A woman with an obviously lithe figure muttered softly nearby.

Li Qing pretended not to hear, continuing at an unhurried pace, but his ears were perked.

"Hey, don't make trouble for yourself. The last person to do so ended up being eaten by a scarecrow!"

Jes, beside her, quietly stopped the woman's actions, then complained, "Anna, you need to understand the price we paid to get here. This isn't your palace or your exclusive domain. Here, we're just students. You have to adjust your mindset."

"I know, I know! I'll be careful,"

Anna replied, a bit impatiently waving her hand.

Li Qing, who had been carefully observing, suddenly noticed his pupils constrict slightly. He paused momentarily before casually resuming his walk.

He had just seen that the woman named Anna had part of her black robe trailing on the ground, revealing a white tentacle with a suction cup!

Unconsciously, he glanced around, taking in the fourteen figures cloaked in black robes.

What was hidden beneath these robes?

Li Qing understood that this place was no ordinary Magic Academy.

And he realized why the admission letter emphasized wearing the black robe uniform.

Everyone here had their secrets.

At this moment, Li Qing suddenly realized that the language they were speaking was entirely different, yet he could understand.

Was this the miracle of magic?

Approaching the academy gate, in the distance a tall figure, towering over two meters, was visible, shrouded in a black robe adorned with blue silk around the sleeves and collar.

Seeing the crowd from afar, the black-robed figure stretched his arms open, the long sleeves enveloping his hands.

"Welcome, chosen ones, to the Gray Magic Academy. Today is your enrollment day. Be sure not to make any mistakes, or the consequences will be dire, potentially endangering your life,"

The man's voice was calm, with a slight playful smile.

Seeing that everyone silently responded to his jest, the black-robed man seemed somewhat disappointed.

"Very well, I am Zhuang Xu, your enrollment registration tutor. I will now take your information. Welcome, and I am also your life tutor. If you encounter any difficulties in your studies, you can come to me, but I may not answer you,"

His attitude, screaming not to be disturbed, left Li Qing speechless. The man had been so enthusiastic on the phone before.

"Also, I need to remind all incoming Gray Magic Academy students, never, ever take off your uniforms while on campus. If it gets damaged, please immediately replace it at the administration office, though it won't be free."

Zhuang Xu paused, clapping his hands, causing Li Qing's heart to skip a beat. The man's fingers were sharp, slender, with a dark blue hue akin to that of a corpse—fingers not of a human.

"And one last thing, is the human chosen to become a mage at the age of thirty here?"

Zhuang Xu scanned the fifteen people, his face hidden under the hood's shadow, indistinct.

After his words, the people reacted with surprising voices, astonishment, and disbelief.

"A human chosen to become a mage at thirty?"

"That means they must have been single before thirty!"

"Such perseverance!"

"How unfortunate..."

"Who would've thought a human could come here!"

"Heh, chosen by the Evil God, do humans really have the right to refuse?"

It seemed an oddity had slipped into their midst. Besides this, Li Qing sensed the malice, the ill-intent, from these 'people,' completely unmasked.

What the hell!

Li Qing silently cursed; it was clear Zhuang Xu did this on purpose.

It was a calculated mind game.

"One more thing." Zhuang Xu's voice eerily flowed over, "If you randomly attack students at Magic Academy, regardless of your identity, you'll face severe punishment—eternal punishment. If you insist on such actions, trust me, you'll beg me to kill you."

Zhuang Xu's eyes, slightly crimson, revealed a bloodthirsty hint of laughter. Yes, although his face was thoroughly hidden under his hood, Li Qing felt he exuded a hint of anticipation.

He eagerly awaited rule-breakers, the 'bad students.'

This place was shrouded in strangeness.

Seeing the fifteen remain silent, Zhuang Xu chillingly added, "If you don't come out now, you'll regret it when I catch you later."