Chapter 1

The scorching sun hung in the sky, and the cicadas chirped loudly.

"Phew... It's so hot."

Under the shade of a tree, a man who looked like a salaryman leaned against the trunk. He gazed at the area a meter away, which was being scorched by the sun, his face filled with despair.

It might sound unbelievable, but this man, with a scruffy beard and the appearance of a "well-groomed scalp senior programmer," was actually an ordinary second-year college student.

He hadn't been held back or anything, nor was he in a particularly bitter major.

He was a history major, and his name was Muzhong.

Today was the third day of the summer break. He had stayed at home for the first two days, and this morning, something in his brain went awry, and his literary youth syndrome flared up. He felt that life was a waste no matter what, and thought it would be better to go out and learn some new skills.

Like how to open a durian with bare hands...

Anyway, he came to the place near his home where the most training institutions were concentrated.

He took out his phone and opened a certain interface, which was the promotional page of a swimming training institution.

"According to what it says, the swimming pool is on the fourth floor of the building ahead."

He looked up, and the first three floors of the building were covered with GG advertisements, most of which were related to training, from early childhood education to matchmaking training. The variety of training programs was overwhelming.

"Yep, it would be perfect if they added a reincarnation training."

With that, Muzhong wiped the sweat from his forehead and, braving the scorching sun, quickly entered the commercial building.

As soon as he pushed open the glass door, the cool air rushed out, making him feel instantly refreshed.

Every summer, when it was the hottest, Muzhong would think that air conditioning was the greatest invention in human history.

If he had to describe his current mood in four words, it would be: Long live the air conditioning!

This was a commercial building, with various specialty stores on the first three floors, and various training institutions above.

It was daytime, so the foot traffic was relatively light, but it was still quite lively.

There were many people handing out flyers at the entrance, and almost every customer passing by would be given at least one flyer.

"Sir, would you like to learn about the C+ Health Club?" — a girl handing out flyers.

C+?

Muzhong looked disdainful, waved his hand, and quickly passed by: "No, thank you."

Come on, he was only twenty! How could he possibly need health care?

He went straight to the elevator lobby on the first floor. There were two elevators, both of which had just gone up. Seeing this, Muzhong didn't say anything; he wouldn't blame himself for being unlucky.

He pressed the up button on both sides and waited.

He was the only one waiting for the elevator in the elevator lobby.

—Muzhong was very sure of this.

"Are you waiting for the elevator, young man?"

An elderly man's voice suddenly sounded in his ear.

"Huh?" Muzhong was taken aback and turned around sharply to find an elderly man who looked like a foreigner smiling at him.

This elderly man had a rather trendy appearance, wearing a pink baseball cap with a wide brim. His face was hidden under the brim, and he had a long beard, black and white, reaching down to his abdomen.

Consciously taking a step back, Muzhong put on a friendly smile and replied softly, "Yes, I am."

The appearance of this elderly man was quite strange, and it was best to keep a distance, no matter what.

The elderly man seemed to understand his thoughts and said with a smile, "Do you think I'm a strange person?"

"No."

"You don't have to be so formal. I am indeed a strange person. Just say it, I don't mind."

To actually call himself a "strange person," this person was indeed very strange.

Muzhong gave a polite but rejecting smile. If the other person were a normal elderly man, he would have tactfully ended this conversation with a stranger.

However... this person was really strange.

"Let me introduce myself," he lifted the brim of his cap, revealing a pair of clear eyes. "My name today is Labrador Kiti. You can call me Old Kiti."

Clear, like a calm and cold lake, or like the sediment of time.

Seeing those eyes, Muzhong felt as if he were looking at himself.

According to the saying "the eyes are the windows to the soul," this person must be very capable, perhaps a master passing by?

In any case, at least they could have a conversation.

"Labrador Kiti, that's a strange name," Muzhong paused, then continued, "You said your name today is this, what about tomorrow?"

Old Kiti said playfully, "I haven't decided yet."

"Hey... are you really a foreigner?"

With this level of Chinese and this conversation, Muzhong couldn't detect any foreign accent.

Old Kiti said calmly, "To be precise, I'm from another world."

"..." Muzhong touched the stubble on his chin, choosing to ignore the drama: "Oh."

Faced with Muzhong's indifferent attitude, Old Kiti was surprisingly enthusiastic.

"You're a college student, right?"

"..." Muzhong hesitated, then said, "Yes."

"It's summer break now, so you're here to learn something, right?"

"I want to learn swimming."

"Oh, swimming is good. What else do you want to learn?"

Muzhong glanced at him. This Old Kiti seemed to be trying to steer the conversation towards something related to "learning."

Understanding this, Muzhong said directly, "What do you want to recommend?"

His true intentions exposed, Old Kiti showed no sign of embarrassment. Instead, he smiled and happily handed over a flyer: "Hey~ the College of Supernatural Magic, or simply the Natural College. Young man, want to learn magic?"

This elderly man was really funny and full of energy.

—Muzhong took the flyer, glanced at it, and couldn't help but laugh: "It's handwritten..."

Unexpectedly, Old Kiti explained seriously, "Learning magic is very selective about talent, and there are very few students. It might take decades to find one. Handwriting it shows more sincerity."

Muzhong laughed, "No need to explain that."

He genuinely thought it was a joke.

At this moment, Old Kiti suddenly stiffened, then quickly recovered, his tone slightly regretful: "Ah, time is almost up."

Ding!

—The elevator had arrived.

So, the elevator had arrived?

It was empty, and Muzhong and Old Kiti walked in together.

Seeing Muzhong press the '4th floor' button, Old Kiti smiled like a sly fox: "If there really is magic, would you be willing to learn it?"

Muzhong didn't give a direct answer, shrugging: "If there really is."

Translating this vague response, it meant: If there really is magic, he would learn it.

Of course, he was just joking.

But Old Kiti didn't care if it was a joke. He clapped his hands in satisfaction, "That's great. In your world, one year is equivalent to one day in this world. The world of magic is vast and endless. How about we set a limit of sixty? Sixty years there, sixty days here. What do you think?"

"Old man," Muzhong was speechless, stunned by the other's performance, "Are you serious?"

Old Kiti nodded, "Very serious!"

"Okay~" Muzhong scratched his head, speechless, "I agree."

It was just a joke, so agreeing wouldn't hurt.

But...

Why did he feel a slight unease in his heart...

"Hehe~"

Old Kiti laughed happily, raising his left palm: "Once a word is spoken—"

This was a gesture to clap hands.

Muzhong smiled, raised his right palm, and clapped it against Old Kiti's left palm: "It can't be taken back."

"Words spoken, magic follows! Alright, this world agrees."

As he spoke, Old Kiti emitted an incredible magical aura. Muzhong felt the world shifting, the familiar world growing distant, and a strange new world rapidly approaching.

The enclosed elevator car turned into a flowing magical curtain. For a moment, Muzhong lost his balance and stumbled, barely managing to stand steady.

He looked up, shocked, at Old Kiti: "What's going on!?"

Since the deed was done, Old Kiti no longer pretended to be confused. He grinned, "Your world has agreed to send you to another world."

"Hey! This was just a joke, right? There can't really be magic, can there?!" Muzhong had never believed in such things.

Old Kiti patted his shoulder, "Don't panic, young man. I've been observing you for a long time. You're a calm person. Based on my understanding of you, you should realize that at this point, you can only accept the reality."

His heart was racing, and Muzhong forced himself to stay calm: "This is too unrealistic for me!"

Old Kiti smiled, his body gradually fading away. In the flowing light of the elevator, his last words echoed: "Hehe~ Isn't magic just reality?"