Chapter Twenty-One: The Bonfire Ball

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Nightfall descended, the sky stained with the last streaks of dark crimson sunset, gradually swallowed by a profound indigo, like a vast expanse of deep silk slowly unfurling. The bright full moon quietly rose, hanging like a silver plate in the heavens, casting down a gentle, clear radiance. One star after another began to twinkle, resembling countless grains of glowing silver sand embroidered onto the night’s silk canopy.

Beneath the ancient oak tree, in the village’s central clearing, a dozen logs were arranged into a towering bonfire. Flames leapt and crackled, sending showers of sparks like fireflies dancing into the night air. Two long wooden tables were laden with wooden bowls brimming with ruby-red berry wine. A wild wolf, over a meter long, was skewered and roasted on a wooden frame beside the fire, its dripping fat sizzling in the flames.

“Come, Berg, one more cup of berry wine! If I can’t beat you, I’ll surely drink you under the table!”
“Lovely maidens, who will dance with me?”
“Maria, I love you. Please be my wife—I will cherish you for a lifetime.”
“Wolf meat—it’s delicious!”

The villagers cavorted wildly around the bonfire. Some challenged Berg to drinking contests, refusing to give up even as their eyes flashed with drunken stars. Others called out for dance partners but found none responding after several rounds of searching. Some knelt with flower crowns woven from wild blossoms, proposing to their beloved, their embraces sealed with heartfelt blessings from all. And there were those who cared for nothing but to gorge on wolf meat, eating until their bellies were round and lips greasy, never ceasing.

The scene was lively and warm; nearly every face shone with brilliant smiles—except for one. Not far from the fire, Xia Mingyu sat alone against the old oak tree, head bowed, brow furrowed. He was still pondering the profession he had just acquired. “Clear-minded and foolish... detached from reality...” Neither seemed like a combat skill at all! And how was one supposed to advance the university student profession? Surely not by transmigrating back to take a master’s or doctoral exam again!

Xia Mingyu sighed heavily, worried he might be stuck forever with a mortal-tier profession. In that case, no matter how noble his status blessing was, he would be nothing more than a decorative vase or a strategic advisor. Moreover, his status blessing was fake...
“The lord of the Black Wolf Pack will most likely come looking for me soon. How should I face him? Should I be proud, calm, or silent? And if he asks about my origins, what then?”

Rubbing his temples, Xia Mingyu felt a sharp headache coming on.

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“Your Highness, are you alright?”
At that moment, a clear, worried female voice like a bubbling spring roused him. Xia Mingyu looked up slightly to see Anliya approaching. The young girl had changed into a blue dress, her bare snowy shoulders tinged with a faint blush. The hem of her dress swayed with her light steps like a bluebell dancing in the night breeze. Her golden hair shimmered softly in the warm glow of the bonfire, and her deep blue eyes were filled with concern.

Xia Mingyu nodded slightly, signaling that he was fine. The girl hesitated a moment, then lifted her skirt and, mimicking him, sat on the ground against the old oak tree, apparently unafraid of dirtying her only dress.
“Your Highness, you don’t seem very happy. Is it because of your profession?” Anliya asked cautiously, subtly inching closer. She had noticed that since gaining his profession, Xia Mingyu’s expression had remained somewhat sullen.

“A bit, yes. Honestly, I had a dream of single-handedly defeating a thousand cavalry, with strength that could move mountains and a spirit that could dominate the world. But now it looks a bit difficult,” Xia Mingyu shrugged.
“Ha ha, most men think that way. Even Berg shouted as a child that he wanted to ride a dragon and become a general,” Anliya giggled, covering her mouth.

“But...” Her tone shifted. She stole a glance at his face, where the flickering firelight cast shifting shadows that accentuated his perfect bone structure, making his handsome features even more captivating.
So... so handsome! It felt like His Highness had become even more attractive since gaining his profession.

Then she looked up at the profession blessing above his head—“University Student.” Though she had never heard of such a profession, the character for “study” suggested it demanded great knowledge. And someone as noble as His Highness even knew how to build cellars for storing fruit and make jam—those little bits of knowledge.
“I still think Your Highness is more charming for being so learned!” Anliya exclaimed, blushing deeply.

Her voice startled Xia Mingyu. It was the first time he’d heard her speak so loudly; previously, she had always been the delicate, soft-spoken lady.
“Phew, thank you for comforting me,” he sighed deeply, reaching out to gently pat her head. Though he knew her words didn’t really help his current predicament, having a slender, beautiful girl sit beside him without care for dirt and offer comfort made him feel much better.

Seeing his relaxed expression, Anliya finally relaxed too, her eyes narrowing into crescent moons as she savored the warmth of his large hand atop her head. After a moment, she patted her skirt and slowly stood.

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“Your Highness,” the girl called softly, her voice like a clear stream in the night breeze.
“Everyone’s dancing. Would you like to join me for a dance?”
“If you don’t mind...”

Anliya took a small step back, hands clasped behind her, tiptoeing slightly. Her cheeks flushed faintly before she offered a radiant, sunny smile.
“I can be your dance partner.”

“...Alright.”
Xia Mingyu had wanted to decline, but the girl’s dazzling smile was impossible to resist.

Crackle, crackle.
The bonfire blazed.
An elderly villager with white hair and beard gently played a lively tune on a wooden flute.
Following Anliya’s guidance, Xia Mingyu placed one hand over her delicate waist, the other on her shoulder, moving gently to the rhythm.

Her dance steps were graceful, but his were awkward and stiff, always missing the beat, his arms rigid as wood. They were never quite synchronized.
“Cough, cough, Anliya, sorry, I’m kind of holding you back,” Xia Mingyu coughed, embarrassed.

His coordination had always been terrible—he had even failed Tai Chi in university, dragging down his GPA.
“That’s okay, Your Highness. After all, I can’t compare to you in anything. If I can be a little better than you at dancing, it’s my lifelong honor,” Anliya said playfully, lifting her skirt and bowing slightly, her delicate face teasing.

Suddenly, Xia Mingyu realized this might be a good chance to test his abilities. He recalled the details of the skill—Astral Projection: you can empty your mind and let your body act on its own.
“Anliya, let’s try again,” Xia Mingyu said calmly.