Bonfire Dance

Night had fallen. The last streak of dark-red sunset had stained the sky before gradually being swallowed by a deep inky blue, like a vast bolt of dark silk slowly unfurling.

A bright full moon quietly rose, hanging in the sky like a silver platter and casting down a gentle, clear radiance.

One star after another lit up as well, like countless grains of glowing silver sand sewn into the silk of the night sky.

Beneath the Old Oak Tree, in the open space at the center of the village, more than a dozen logs had been stacked into a massive bonfire. The flames danced with crackling pops, sending innumerable firefly-like sparks flying through the night.

Two long wooden tables were filled with wooden bowls brimming with scarlet fruit wine. An entire wild wolf, over a meter long, was roasting on a rack beside the bonfire, its fat dripping into the flames with a sizzling sound.

"Come on, Berg, have another cup of Red Fruit Wine! If I can't beat you, I'll drink you under the table!"

"Beautiful maidens, who is willing to dance with me?"

"Maria, I love you. Please be my wife. I'll love you for the rest of my life."

"Wolf meat! Delicious!"

The villagers danced wildly around the bonfire. Some dragged Berg into drinking contests and refused to give up even after drinking until they saw stars. Some shouted for dance partners, yet found no response after looking around several times. Others knelt on one knee with wreaths woven from wildflowers, confessing to the girls they loved, before finally embracing tightly amid everyone's blessings. Still others ignored everything entirely, burying their heads in wolf meat and refusing to stop even when their bellies were round and their mouths glistened with grease.

The atmosphere was ablaze with excitement, and brilliant smiles filled nearly every face. There was only one exception.

Not far from the bonfire, Xian sat alone on the ground with his back against the Old Oak Tree, head lowered and brows tightly furrowed.

He was still thinking about the profession he had just obtained.

Clear and Foolish and Absent-mindedness—no matter how he looked at them, neither seemed like combat-oriented abilities! And how was the College Student profession supposed to advance? He couldn't exactly travel back and take master's and doctoral entrance exams, could he?!

Xian let out a heavy sigh. He was worried that he would remain stuck at the Mortal Rank for the rest of his life.

If that happened, then no matter how noble his Status Blessing was, he could only become a decorative figurehead or a strategist.

What was more, his Status Blessing was fake. The lord of Black Wolf Territory will most likely come looking for me soon. How should I face him?

Should I be arrogant, calm, or taciturn? But what if he asks about my origins?

Xian rubbed his temples, feeling as though his head were splitting.

"Your Highness, are you all right?"

Just then, a somewhat worried female voice, clear as spring water, called out and roused him.

Xian raised his head slightly and saw Anlìyà walking toward him.

The young girl had changed back into that blue dress. Her bare, snowy shoulders were faintly red, and her skirt swayed with her light steps like a bluebell trembling in the night breeze.

Her brilliant golden hair gleamed softly in the warm yellow firelight, while her beautiful azure eyes were full of concern and worry.

Xian nodded faintly, indicating that he was fine.

After thinking for a moment, the girl lifted her skirt and sat down on the ground beside the Old Oak Tree as he had, seemingly unafraid of dirtying her only dress.

"Your Highness, you don't seem very happy. Is it because of your profession?" Anlìyà asked cautiously, inching a little closer to him without leaving a trace.

She had noticed that Xian had seemed somewhat downcast ever since obtaining his profession.

"A little, I suppose. To be honest, I've always dreamed of single-handedly defeating a thousand cavalrymen and having the strength to pull up mountains. But now, that seems a little difficult." Xian shrugged.

"Ha-ha, it seems most men think that way. Even Berg was the same. When he was little, he spent all day shouting about riding dragons through the sky and becoming a general." Anlìyà covered her mouth and giggled.

"But..." The girl suddenly changed the subject.

She first secretly glanced at the face of the person beside her. The firelight cast shifting shadows over Xian's face, highlighting his flawless features and bone structure, making his already handsome face even more captivating.

So... so handsome! It feels like His Highness became even more handsome after gaining his profession!

Only then did she turn her gaze to the Profession Blessing above Xian's head—"College Student." Though she had never heard of such a profession, the word "student" alone undoubtedly showed how demanding it was in terms of knowledge.

Moreover, someone as noble as His Highness even knew scattered bits of knowledge such as building cellars to store fruit and making jam. "I still think someone as knowledgeable as Your Highness is even more charming!" Anlìyà shouted, her face flushed red.

Her voice was so loud that even Xian was startled.

It was the first time he had heard the girl speak at such a volume. In his impression, Anlìyà had always been a gentle lady whose voice was barely louder than a mosquito's.

"Whew, thank you for comforting me."

Xian let out a long breath and raised a hand to gently pat the girl's head.

Although he knew that Anlìyà's words did nothing to help his current predicament, when you were sitting there lost in thought and worry, having a long-legged, slender-waisted beauty sit on the dirty ground beside you to comfort you would naturally make you feel much better.

Seeing the tension ease from his brow, Anlìyà finally relaxed as well. Her eyes curved into crescents as she savored the warmth of the large hand atop her head.

A moment later, she dusted off her skirt and slowly rose to her feet.

"Your Highness," the girl called softly, her voice like a stream in the night wind.

"Everyone is dancing. Would you like to dance too?"

"If you don't mind, that is."

Anlìyà took two small steps back, clasped her hands behind her back, and lightly rose onto her toes. Her cheeks flushed faintly before she revealed a smile as dazzling as sunlight.

"I can be your dance partner."

"...All right."

Xian had wanted to refuse, but the girl's smile was simply too dazzling.

Crackle, crackle.

The bonfire blazed fiercely.

An elderly villager with white hair and beard held a wooden flute and gently played a cheerful tune.

Following Anlìyà's guidance, Xian held one of her soft hands in his while placing his other hand on her shoulder, moving gently to the rhythm of the flute.

The girl's steps were elegant, but his were awkward and stiff. His feet constantly missed the beat, and his arm was rigid as a plank.

The two of them were never in sync.

"Ahem, Anlìyà, sorry. I'm holding you back a little."

Xian coughed twice, his expression somewhat embarrassed.

His bodily coordination had always been terrible. Back in college, he had even failed tai chi, which had dragged his GPA straight into the grave.

"It's all right, Your Highness. After all, I'm inferior to you in every way. If I can surpass you by even the slightest bit in dancing, that would be the honor of my life."

Anlìyà lifted her skirt and gave a small curtsy, a trace of mischief on her delicate face.

Just then, Xian suddenly thought that this might be a good chance to test his ability.

He still remembered the information about that ability—Absent-mindedness: You can empty your mind and let your body take over your movements.

"Anlìyà, let's try again," Xian said calmly.