Starting with Proficiency Panel-Chapter 763: See Clearly (New Book Content)

The magic runes on the scroll began to surge rapidly, twisting on the scroll like maggots, finally forming a sudden black fissure large enough for a person to pass through.

Li Qing remained silent for a moment, hesitated briefly, took a deep breath of Long Qi, and cautiously stepped forward, holding his breath as he stepped inside.

...

...

Darkness!

Coldness!

The oppressive dark clouds seemed ready to press down, and the air carried a pungent smell that resembled rotting flesh.

What met his eyes first was a road paved with brown-yellow bricks, flanked by tall, unnamed trees, whose leaves fluttered rhythmically as if breathing with a silent breeze.

Though it might seem an odd description, that was Li Qing's impression.

These trees were alive.

Fifty meters down the avenue stood a rather ornate gate, constructed from red bricks stacked neatly, with two large iron gates opening outward, leading to a towering, massive edifice that loomed into view.

To Li Qing, this so-called Magic Academy exuded a gloomy, sinister air, like a giant beast in hiding, ready to devour.

Most notably, it was clearly midnight, yet here it was daylight.

Yes, daylight, though the sky was exceedingly gloomy, and Li Qing sensed something lurking within.

"Is this the legendary Gray Magic Academy?"

A shrill and excited voice beside him jolted Li Qing back to his senses.

Engrossed by the academy, he hadn't noticed until now the dozen people standing behind him.

Each was clad in black robes, with hoods drawn to hide their faces in shadow, making them indistinct.

While these people discussed Gray Magic Academy, Li Qing subtly moved back, blending into the crowd.

Standing at the front was too conspicuous; Li Qing was always discreet.

After a while, one of the black-robed figures moved forward, and as the fourteen began to act, Li Qing silently followed along.

In an unfamiliar environment, he refrained from any overly attention-grabbing actions.

A nail that sticks out gets hammered down.

This was a principle Li Qing learned in his career, knowing his abilities and positioning himself to be indispensable yet unobtrusive.

Thus, from graduation until now, his path had been smooth and uneventful.

"Jes, why do we have to wear these black robes and hoods?"

A female voice muffled a complaint nearby.

Li Qing feigned ignorance and continued pacing himself, but his ears were alert.

"Hey, don't make it hard for yourself. The last person who did that got eaten by a scarecrow!"

Jes, beside her, hushed her and grumbled, "Anna, you must understand the price we paid to be here. This isn't your palace or personal domain; here, we're merely students. You must adjust your attitude."

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

Anna waved dismissively, a bit impatient.

Li Qing, observing intently, suddenly tensed, momentarily halting before resuming his casual stride.

He had just seen the woman named Anna; a white tentacle with suckers protruded from beneath her robes!

Unconsciously, he scanned the group of fourteen black-robed figures.

What could be hiding beneath these robes?

Li Qing realized this was not a legitimate magic academy.

He also understood why the admission letter emphasized wearing these black robe uniforms.

Something was off about each individual here.

It dawned on Li Qing that, despite the foreign language, he could understand them.

The miracle of magic?

As they neared the academy gate, a figure heavily cloaked in a black robe accented by blue circular patterns on the sleeves and collar stood out, at least two meters tall.

As the group approached, the black-robed man spread his arms, the long sleeves covering his hands.

"Welcome, chosen ones, to Gray Magic Academy. Today is enrollment day. Be mindful not to cause any mishaps, or the consequences could be dire, even life-threatening."

The man's voice was calm, with a hint of mocking amusement.

Seeing the silent response, the black-robed man appeared somewhat bored.

"Alright, I'm your enrollment registration tutor, Zhuang Xu. I'll be registering your information. Welcome. I'm also your residential mentor, here to answer any questions during your studies, though I may not always answer."

His demeanor, clear in his desire not to be bothered, was quite contrary to his previous enthusiastic phone manner.

"Another thing I must remind you: as future students of Gray Magic Academy, never, never remove your uniform. If it's damaged, promptly get a replacement from the administration office, though it's not free."

Zhuang Xu clapped his hands, which startled Li Qing, seeing Zhuang Xu's sharp, long fingers and skin as dark as a corpse—clearly not humanly possible.

"One more thing: is the thirty-year-old selected to become a mage here?"

Zhuang Xu scanned the fifteen individuals, his face obscured by the hood's shadow.

Upon hearing Zhuang Xu's words, their voices were filled with shock and wonder.

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

"That means they were single before thirty!"

"Such perseverance!"

"How pitiful..."

"Didn't expect a human could come here!"

"Heh, being chosen by the Evil God, can a fragile human refuse?"

Something strange had infiltrated, yet all Li Qing felt was malice from these 'people,' their malevolent gazes indisguisable.

Damn it!

Li Qing cursed inwardly; Zhuang Xu was clearly doing this on purpose.

It was psychological warfare.

"And one more thing," Zhuang Xu's voice echoed, "If you attack students arbitrarily at the Magic Academy, regardless of your identity, you will face severe punishment, eternal punishment. If you insist, believe me, you'll beg me to kill you."