Starting with Proficiency Panel

Li Qing, feeling slightly relaxed, answered, "Master Rosen said my progress is good, I can come to the library and borrow the 'Level 0 Magic Encyclopaedia.'

Zhuang Xu's expression was indecipherable, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, as he said with a hint of mockery, "The guy who should be hung in Wailing Hell actually said that... Well, maybe you're human."

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

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

"No problem for everyday use."

"Not bad."

Words neither salty nor bland spilled from Zhuang Xu's mouth, unclear if they were just ordinary or genuinely good.

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

Looking at the sharp, dark cyan hand holding the book, Li Qing instinctively swallowed before accepting it with both hands.

"Thank you!"

Zhuang Xu's laughter was unpleasant, hoarse like metal rods colliding with a clatter.

"When you advance to a First-Ring Mage, you can visit the library. Now is not the time. Maybe when you advance, you'll have a surprise. After all, it's rare for humans to qualify as mages by thirty."

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

"Mm."

Li Qing turned to leave, and as he pushed open the library door, Zhuang Xu's eerie voice echoed.

"And one more thing, please return the borrowed book before the second class, or you'll be watched~"

Li Qing's heart tightened, "Got it, thanks for the reminder."

Quickly exiting the library, safely back in his safe house, Li Qing finally let out a long breath.

Really too oppressive.

Although it seemed Zhuang Xu was showing great kindness, only Li Qing, facing him directly, knew what pressure he was really under.

The gaze from the other side was entirely treating him as an interesting toy.

A very curious gaze. At least in Li Qing's thirty years, he never received such attention.

Calm again, Li Qing understood it was due to his lack of strength, just arriving with no choice but to endure.

Such a place full of peculiarities cannot be too careful.

As for why he wasn't qualified to wander in the library, Li Qing was not curious. To him, all curiosity is based on strength. Without it, curiosity kills the cat.

He stayed in the safe house studying the "Level 0 Magic Encyclopaedia" until reaching the limit of his time in Gray, then reluctantly took the magic book back to the safe house.

For several days, Li Qing buried himself in studying the "Level 0 Magic Encyclopaedia," particularly the readable magic reading and therapeutic repairing minor injuries magic intrigued him greatly.

More surprising was the repairing minor injuries' effect on the body, allowing minor wounds from knife cuts to visibly heal.

Very magical!

But in the face of the zero-level spell magic reading, Li Qing struggled somewhat, with over a hundred construction nodes, its difficulty clearly surpassing many Second-Ring Magic.

Just annoying!

Musing, Li Qing suddenly heard a 'boom' outside the window, awakening and turning to see the brilliant firework blossoming in mid-air.

What's today?

Li Qing instinctively checked the calendar, today was the 29th, and the Shu Capital had issued a policy days ago lifting the ban on fireworks for the new year.

"Almost New Year..."

Bang! Pop!! Pop pop!

Li Qing went outside, watching the fireworks continuously ascend, then explode in mid-air.

His expression was somewhat dark or perhaps tranquil, having spent over a decade alone already accustomed to such life.

Sometimes sad and lonely, but more often enjoying solitude.

Ding dong!

The phone buzzed slightly, Li Qing checked it, raising an eyebrow upon seeing the message.

Chen Chencheng: Happy New Year!!

Li Qing: Happy New Year!

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

Li Qing unconsciously swiped the screen, slowly replying: Planning to go to the supermarket to buy some New Year's goods.

After a while, Chen Chencheng replied: Alone?

Li Qing: Yes.

After a minute or two, confirming no message from Chen Chencheng, Li Qing put the phone aside, glancing at the "Level 0 Magic Encyclopaedia" hesitated but decided to take a break, preparing to play a game he hadn't touched in months.

He still chose his main hero, Blind Monk, but deviated during an in-game maneuver, prompting teammate complaints.

Ren'ai Hospital's chief doctor Shen: Blind Monk, are you blind? Even a chicken with rice on the keyboard plays better!

Li Qing furrowed his brow, unhesitatingly replying.

"My lips are sweetened."

"What?! I love you!"

"I wish your family good health, Oligei!"

"Your mom is beautiful."

"I'm the plumber at your house."

"Your hands are dexterous like a dancing butterfly!"

"Sending my Oligei for you to eat..."

Ultimately, Li Qing simply stood at the fountain, venting recent stress until the game ended in defeat.

Feeling refreshed, Li Qing canceled the friend request from the opposing team, readying to continue practicing Meditation.

Persevering daily in Meditation to refine magic power, Li Qing felt his spiritual power growth driving internal magic power increase, gradually allowing him to perform more magical moves daily.

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

A good improvement, but Li Qing felt his body was perhaps too weak.

He looked down at his two ribs, somewhat dissatisfied.

Previously neither fat nor thin, now due to condensing magic power, consumed much bodily energy.

Need to find a place to exercise, ideally learning martial arts, given the apprentice assessment in two months could be dangerous, else Rosenberg wouldn't put on a face eager for them to die quickly.

"Steel pot, shedding tears in shame drifting by..."

Li Qing checked his phone, seeing a call from Chen Chencheng, he answered.

"Look outside!" Chen Chencheng's first words.

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

"Wait a moment."

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

After hanging up, Li Qing quickly dressed, hurried downstairs, and walked to Chen Chencheng, a bit surprised, and a bit throbbing.

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