Starting with Proficiency Panel

"Li Qing, want to go to a movie this weekend? I found a really good horror film called 'Zhenzi vs. the Gourd Kids.' I heard it's been getting rave reviews lately! I'd love to watch it, but I'm scared to go alone. Will you come with me, pretty please?"

"Sorry, I can't go this weekend because I have to play Luke."

Li Qing looked sadly at his phone, at the female contact he'd marked with a heart emoji sending him a "smile" emoji.

He didn't even know what he might have said wrong for her to send him a deadly "smile" emoji when he was obviously doing something important—earning money for that down payment.

He'd always really liked this woman, even though she was three years older than him... but as the saying goes, 'a woman three years older is like a treasure chest,' right?

"Sigh!"

He let out a deep sigh, then silently opened his phone's browser, expertly opened a certain website, and picked up a tissue…

To wipe the oil from the corner of his mouth.

He watched the energized video clips on the small broken platform on his phone and silently let out another long sigh.

Today was his thirtieth birthday. People always say thirty is a milestone, but to him, it was just thirty, nothing more.

The somewhat cluttered rental room had leftovers from a recent takeout meal on the table, old posters on the walls, clothes thrown about, and a glowing computer monitor playing a live stream from some platform.

This was the typical home of a single man, chaotic but with a certain order, all the items were very familiar to Li Qing.

Looking back at the live stream on the computer, Li Qing touched his face.

"I don't look bad, so why can't I find a girlfriend? Really..."

To be honest, it was tough; growing up, Li Qing only embodied two words.

Ordinary!

Despite being clean-cut and fair-skinned, which should have been a plus, and getting introduced to many potential partners by friends, the faint affection both sides felt vanished during conversations.

Not a trace remained.

This greatly troubled Li Qing; he consulted many female friends, asking questions and even simulating scenarios.

The unanimous conclusion was that Li Qing's way of speaking was wrong. In other words, he was tougher than steel, comparable to the latest ultra-hard alloys.

His words did invisible damage, causing maximum harm to women.

Even his well-meaning female friends avoided talking to him for three days after simulating conversation scenarios with Li Qing.

Thinking about this, Li Qing was very troubled. He wanted to take action, but everything he did turned into a mess, only causing more trouble.

At this point, just as he was getting up to grab some leftover takeout again, his phone suddenly buzzed.

Li Qing paused, looking at the unusual caller ID displayed above, puzzled. Did someone remember his birthday this late at night?

No, no, that couldn't be it. His parents disappeared when he was fourteen, and there'd been no word since. He's been living on his own ever since, even renting out his house to afford a single room in this megacity.

No one else would know today marked his thirtieth birthday.

Maybe it's a work matter.

With a touch of reluctance, he answered the call.

"Hello?"

"Zzzt zzzt zzzt..."

Listening to the static sounds on the line, Li Qing frowned. Just as he was about to hang up, a male voice suddenly came from the other end.

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

Hearing the somewhat eccentric and very amused voice on the other line, Li Qing understood immediately.

Someone's playing a prank.

Li Qing mildly replied: "Yes, who's calling?"

"Ah, congratulations! You truly are the luckiest person in the world, you know... Oh, let me first wish you a happy 30th birthday and also commemorate your 30 years of being single, haha..."

The voice seemed unable to hold back laughter, almost breaking into giggles.

Li Qing wasn't amused: "Is my being single for 30 years something you find worth mocking?"

"No, no, I just remembered something happy."

"What's that?"

"My wife gave birth..."

Li Qing, unable to tolerate it anymore: "Do you think I haven't seen movies? Please don't bring these lame jokes here, okay? People should know their limits. I advise you to drink some 'mouse tail juice'."

Just as he was about to hang up, the other end hurriedly spoke: "Wait... I haven't finished speaking. This could be a call that changes your life. Aren't you willing to take a moment to listen?"

Li Qing hesitated, ultimately suppressing his frustration and said: "Go on."

The other side cleared his throat and introduced himself: "My name is Zhuang Xu, an admissions tutor at the Gray Magic Academy. Congratulations, you've met the qualifications and have been successfully admitted to our school... Um, I'm sure the acceptance letter will be mailed to your residence soon..."

"... What the heck, Magic Academy?"

Li Qing was baffled—if you're lying, at least make up something believable. Wasn't this just nonsense?

Oddly, Li Qing's interest was piqued; it was the first time he'd received such a bizarre scam call.

"So tell me, why am I qualified to enter this Magic School?"

Zhuang Xu's voice suddenly turned serious: "Have you heard this legend—if a man stays a virgin until he's thirty, he can become a magician and wield magic."

Li Qing was stunned: "W-what the heck?"

"It's true. If a man reaches thirty and is still single, he can switch to being a mage and learn all kinds of magic. Believe me, this is your life's turning point, don't..."

Click!

With a blank expression, Li Qing hung up the phone. What a psycho, deliberately calling on this day to mock him.

Tap, tap, tap!

Li Qing froze slightly, turned to look at the window, and jumped in fright when he saw a dark silhouette perched on the sill, staring at him with glowing green eyes.

Its head bobbed as it made the 'tap, tap, tap' sound.

A bizarre and creepy atmosphere filled the room, making his scalp tingle and his legs weak, nearly giving out beneath him.

Gulp!

Li Qing swallowed, standing frozen for about thirty seconds. Seeing it take no action, he gathered his courage and moved over step by step.

Upon closer inspection, Li Qing breathed a sigh of relief, then cursed: "Scared me to death!"

It was just an owl, but a completely black-feathered one with no specks, its eyes incredibly human-like, resembling two black gems, watching him with an air of disdain.