Starting with Proficiency Panel-Chapter 682: The truth will be revealed tomorrow (new book content)

As for the two books, "Magic Rune Introduction" and "Mage Promotion Path," Li Qing just skimmed them. Magic runes mainly cover knowledge about setting up magic arrays and enchantments. He can study the runes, but for now, the focus remains on learning Level 0 magic.

The Mage Promotion Path discusses only the standards for mage hierarchy and the various paths derived from magic.

Demon Swordmaster, Warlock, Priest, Knight, and dozens more career paths.

For the current Li Qing, they hold no meaning at all, unless he reaches the level of an Advanced Magic Apprentice and has time to study these when progressing in careers.

While pondering, halfway along the road, a sudden voice came from the side.

"A fellow student from the human world, are you heading to the library?"

Li Qing woke up from his thoughts, turning back to see the other person wearing a black robe, he relaxed a bit. All along, he had been walking down paths shrouded in mist, unable to see clearly, feeling a constant chill.

Although Gray Magic Academy prohibits student duels, the other person approached with an air of deceit, clearly harboring ill intent.

The fellow was hunched, with a large body, yet he was still at least 190 cm tall.

Moreover, Li Qing accurately captured him using the term, fellow student from the human world, further confirming his suspicions.

Li Qing said calmly, "Fellow student, is something the matter?"

"Hey~ don't be so wary of everything. You humans are like that, harboring immense hostility toward creatures different from humans."

He shrugged, speaking with a relaxed tone, "My name is Hemertos, and yours?"

"...Blind Monk."

"Blind Monk? What a strange name, sounds like you're blind." Hemertos pointed at himself, proudly saying, "Listen to my name, Hemertos!"

Li Qing asked casually, "Does it have any meaning there?"

"Of course, I, Hemertos! Will eventually return from the Abyss, sweeping away all who oppose me, killing everyone I hate!"

Hemertos spoke in a deep voice, the words he spoke reeking of blood to Li Qing.

"That's quite... a formidable meaning indeed."

"And you, why did you come to Gray?"

Up to now, Li Qing never truly understands what Gray Magic Academy represents; he only knows Gray is definitely synonymous with evil.

He looked up at the gray gloomy weather and an environment that seemed like the Underworld, with mist everywhere, distant buildings indistinct and blurred.

He could guarantee, without the school badge, he would surely get lost in this ghostly place.

"Of course, to learn magic."

"Huh?!"

Hemertos seemed to hear something utterly astonishing. After a while, he muttered, "A human running to Gray to learn magic, what a colossal joke; don't you know Gray is a place only devils would go to."

Li Qing's heart trembled slightly, but he said calmly, "There are different kinds of magic to be learned here."

"Hmm, that's indeed true, given Gray is best at dealing with devils."

He laughed sharply, "So far, I have devoured several devils already."

Li Qing was silent, shocked, horrified, cycling through expressions then manifesting doubt. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Devils, can be devoured?

Upon reaching the library, Hemertos waved, "Nice meeting you Blind Monk. Next, I need to enter the library, so, good luck."

Without waiting for Li Qing to reply, Hemertos pushed open the library's old door, engraved with countless carvings, and walked unhesitatingly into the shadows.

What a strange situation, entering the library together, yet wishing me good luck?

Li Qing looked at the library, old castle-like architecture made of thick gray stone occupying a vast area, the layered graystone tone making the whole structure look gloomy and oppressive.

This isn't a library, this is the entrance to Nazarick Underground Tomb!

Li Qing couldn't help but think bitterly as he climbed the stairs, reaching the grand library door full of strange carvings.

As he lightly touched it, the school badge suddenly lit up, causing intense magic ripples to spread and connect with the door's carvings.

Buzz!

A barely audible sound came from the door, after which all magic ripples dissipated, and the door silently opened.

Inside, he couldn't see clearly, as if everything were swallowed by shadows, ghostly and indistinct.

Strange, dark, filled with an annoying atmosphere.

Despite his refusal inside, Li Qing still stepped inside resolutely, step by step.

Bang!

The library's silent door closed, causing Li Qing to turn and look; he stood for a long time until his eyes adjusted to the environment, looking ahead at rows of bookshelves stretching out of sight, illuminated by an unknown dim light source, allowing visibility just enough to recognize.

Where is Hemertos?

Li Qing swept a glance silently, not paying much attention, as in Gray, everyone has secrets, as long as you mind your own business, he was about to head to the bookshelves when a familiar voice came from the side.

"Human student, a friendly reminder, delve into high-tier magic books without sufficient strength, you might be eaten~"

This tone, this teasing voice, it must be Zhuang Xu.

He turned his eyes wide, looking toward the shadow in the corner, then saw an outline of a desk, a black-robed Zhuang Xu almost blending with the darkness.

Li Qing cautiously said, "So it's Mentor Zhuang Xu, hello!"

Zhuang Xu, somewhat like a tall ghostly shadow, laughed oddly, leaning forward a bit, finally letting Li Qing see him clearly.

Zhuang Xu's hands interlaced on the desk, his scarlet eyes scrutinizing Li Qing with interest.

After a long while, with a look of surprise, he said, "It seems you've gathered magic power?"

He stood up abruptly, a high, slender body over two and a half meters imposing pressure, making the air slightly heavy.

Li Qing stood unmoved, hands under sleeves clenched tightly, watching Zhuang Xu sniffing the air closely.

After a while, Zhuang Xu sat back down.

"Interesting... you've sparked my interest, bringing a new flair to my dull days." Zhuang Xu dropped his hands, intrigued, saying, "So, human with a short lifespan, what talents awakened in you after becoming a mage at thirty?"

Without waiting for Li Qing's reply, he shrugged, saying, "Alright, never mind that. Why have you come to the library, what are you looking for?"