Starting with Proficiency Panel

The slightly relaxed Li Qing replied, "Master Rosen says my progress is good, so I can borrow the 'Level 0 Magic Encyclopaedia' from the library."

Zhuang Xu didn't agree or disagree, his expression was hard to read, he just made a slightly mocking remark, "That guy who should be hung in Wailing Hell actually said that... Well, maybe you are human."

He lifted his sharp, dark blue finger, and a book slowly floated down from the top of a very high shelf, moving to Zhuang Xu's side.

Stretching out his hand to grab the magic book, Zhuang Xu asked, "How is your magic rune study going?"

"Nothing problematic for regular use."

"Not bad."

The indifferent words came out of Zhuang Xu's mouth, it was unclear if it was average or truly commendable.

He handed the book to Li Qing, "Take it."

Looking at the sharp, dark blue hand that held the book, Li Qing subconsciously swallowed his saliva and then took it with both hands.

"Thank you!"

Zhuang Xu's laughter was unpleasant, hoarse like two dull metal rods constantly colliding, it grated noisily.

"When you advance to a First-Ring Mage, you can come to the library for a look, now is not the time, maybe when you advance you'll have a surprise, after all, it's rare for a human to qualify to become a mage at thirty."

"Thank you." Li Qing slightly bowed, "Mentor Zhuang Xu, I'll take my leave now."

"Mm."

Li Qing turned and left, pushing open the library door, he heard Zhuang Xu's eerie voice.

"One more thing, please return the borrowed book before the second lesson, or you'll be watched~"

Li Qing's heart tightened, "I understand, thank you for the reminder."

Leaving the library swiftly, and safely returning to the safe house, only then did Li Qing exhale a long breath.

It was really too oppressive.

Although from his behavior Zhuang Xu seemed to be showing great kindness, only Li Qing, who faced Zhuang Xu head on, knew what kind of pressure he was under at the time.

The meaning in the other's gaze completely viewed him as an amusing toy.

A very interesting gaze, at least in Li Qing's thirty years, he had never received such attention.

Calming down, Li Qing understood that it was because of his lack of strength, a newcomer could only endure.

In this strange place, one couldn't be too careful.

As for why he's currently not qualified to wander around the library, Li Qing wasn't curious. To him, all curiosity was based on strength; without strength, curiosity could only cause harm.

Staying in the safe house, studying the 'Level 0 Magic Encyclopaedia' until the current limit of his time in Gray reached, only then did he reluctantly return to the safe house with the magic book.

For several days, Li Qing buried himself in the study of the 'Level 0 Magic Encyclopaedia', especially the Zero-Level Magics that included the reading comprehension 'Magic Reading' and the healing 'Repairing Minor Injuries' which made him quite interested.

What delighted him even more was that 'Repairing Minor Injuries' had a restorative effect on the body; some minor knife wounds could be visibly healed.

Very amazing!

But when facing the Zero-Level Spell 'Magic Reading', Li Qing found it quite difficult, with over a hundred construct nodes, its difficulty surely surpassed many Second-Ring Magic levels.

Just damn difficult!

While pondering, Li Qing suddenly heard a 'bang' from outside the window, he startled and turned to look, bright fireworks unfolding slowly in the sky.

What day is it today?

Li Qing instinctively checked the calendar: today is the twenty-ninth, the Shu Capital had issued a policy recently, lifting the ban on fireworks for the New Year.

"It's almost New Year's..."

Bang! Boom!! Boom boom!

Li Qing went to the window, watching fireworks continuously rising skyward and exploding in mid-air.

His expression was somewhat obscure, or rather calm and unruffled, having spent over a decade alone, he had long since grown accustomed to this kind of life.

Sometimes feeling melancholy and lonely, more often enjoying solitude.

Ding dong!

The phone gave a mild vibration, Li Qing took it out and, upon seeing the message content, couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

Chen Chencheng: Happy New Year!!

Li Qing: Happy New Year!

Chen Chencheng: Where are you planning to spend the New Year?

Li Qing absent-mindedly swiped his screen, slowly replying: Planning to buy some New Year goods at the supermarket.

After a while, Chen Chencheng replied: Alone?

Li Qing: Yes.

After waiting a minute or two, making sure Chen Chencheng didn't message back, Li Qing put the phone aside, glanced at the 'Level 0 Magic Encyclopaedia', then hesitated before deciding to relax a bit and get on the game he hadn't played for months.

He still chose his favored hero, the Blind Monk, but during a mid-game R-flash move that missed the enemy, teammates began to complain.

Ren'ai Hospital attending physician Shen: Blind Monk, are you blind? My bloody chicken pecking at a keyboard would do better than you!

Li Qing furrowed his brow, unhesitatingly replied.

"My little mouth is honey-glazed."

"Whoa?! I love you!"

"I wish your family good health, Oli give!"

"Your mom is very beautiful."

"I'm the plumber at your house."

"Your hands are as nimble as fluttering butterflies!"

"My Oli give is for you to eat..."

In the end, Li Qing simply stayed at the spring, letting out all his recent stress until they lost the game.

Feeling refreshed, Li Qing ignored the friend request from the opponent, preparing to get on bed and continue with meditation.

Daily practice of meditation condenses magic power, allowing Li Qing to feel his spiritual power growing, driving the increase of magic power within, letting him cast magic more frequently each day.

At least the Mage's Hand, this Level 0 Magic, Li Qing can now maintain for eight hours before exhausting his magic power.

A pretty good improvement, yet Li Qing felt his body seemed rather weak.

He looked down at his two ribs, somewhat dissatisfied.

He used to be not fat nor thin, but due to condensing magic power, much energy had been consumed from his body.

He needs to find a place to work out, preferably learn some martial arts, for the apprentice examination in two months should be quite dangerous, otherwise, Rosenberg wouldn't be so eager for them all to hurry up and die off.

"Steel pot, tears floating shyly past..."

Li Qing quickly checked his phone, it was Chen Chencheng calling, he answered.

"Look out the window!" Chen Chencheng said as soon as the call connected.

Li Qing paused, got up, and moved to the window, seeing Chen Chencheng waving to him.

"Wait for me a moment."

"Hurry up! I've never waited for a guy like this before!"

After hanging up the call, Li Qing quickly dressed and hurried downstairs to Chen Chencheng, feeling surprised and a bit excited.