Chapter 21: Bonfire Party

Night fell, the sky dyed through by the last trace of dark red sunset glow, then gradually swallowed by a deep ink blue, like a piece of deep silk slowly spreading out.

The bright full moon rose quietly, hanging in the sky like a silver plate, casting a soft, clear radiance.

Stars lit up one by one, like countless silver sands shining with fluorescence sewn onto the silk of the night sky.

Under the Old Oak Tree, in the open space in the center of the village, a dozen logs were built into a huge bonfire, the flames leaping and making crackling sounds, splashing countless firefly-like sparks dancing under the night sky.

On two long wooden tables, wooden bowls filled with bright red fruit wine were set out, and a whole large wild wolf over a meter long was roasted on a wooden rack beside the bonfire, grease dripping into the fire, making sizzling sounds.

"Come, Boge, have another cup of red fruit wine. If I can't beat you, I must drink you under the table!"

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

"Maria, I love you, please be my wife. I will love you for a lifetime."

"Wolf meat, delicious!"

The villagers danced wildly around the bonfire; some pulled Boge to drink, not giving up even when they were dizzy; some shouted to find a dance partner, but after looking around several times, no one responded; others held wreaths woven from wild flowers and knelt on one knee to propose to the girl they loved, finally embracing tightly under everyone's blessings...

Others didn't care about anything, just burying their heads in eating wolf meat, not stopping even when their bellies were round and their mouths were covered in oil.

The scene was heated, almost everyone's face was filled with a brilliant smile, except for one exception.

Not far from the bonfire, Xia Mingyu sat on the ground leaning against the Old Oak Tree, his head lowered and his brows locked.

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

*Clear and Stupid*, *Out of Body*—these two abilities, no matter how you look at them, don't look like combat-type abilities!

And, how is the College Student profession supposed to advance?

It's not like he can transmigrate back to take a master's or doctoral degree!

Xia Mingyu sighed heavily; he was very worried that he would be stuck in a Mortal Rank profession for a lifetime.

In that case, even if his identity protection was noble, he could only be a vase or a strategist.

Not to mention that his identity protection was fake...

"The Lord of Black Wolf Territory will likely come to find me soon. How should I face him?"

"Should I be arrogant, calm, or silent? But what if he asks about my background?"

Xia Mingyu rubbed his temples, feeling his brain ache severely.

"Highness, are you okay?"

Just then, a slightly worried female voice, clear as a spring, woke him.

Xia Mingyu raised his head slightly and saw Anliya walking toward him.

The girl had changed back into that blue dress, her bare snow-white shoulders slightly red, the hem of her dress swaying with her light steps, like a bluebell swaying in the night wind.

Her brilliant golden hair shone with a soft luster under the warm yellow light of the bonfire, and her beautiful azure eyes were filled with concern and worry.

Xia Mingyu nodded slightly, indicating he was fine.

The girl thought for a moment, then lifted her skirt and sat on the ground leaning against the Old Oak Tree just like him, seemingly not afraid of dirtying her only dress.

"Highness, you seem not very happy. Is it because of the profession?" Anliya asked cautiously, while moving closer to the young man's position without leaving a trace.

She noticed that it seemed that since obtaining the profession, Xia Mingyu's expression had been a bit unhappy.

"A little, I guess. After all, to be honest, I also have a dream of breaking a thousand cavalrymen alone and having the strength to pull up mountains, but now it seems a bit difficult." Xia Mingyu shrugged.

"Haha, most men seem to think that way. Even Boge is like that; he used to shout all day that he wanted to ride a dragon to the sky and become a general." Anliya covered her mouth and chuckled.

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

She first secretly looked at the face of the person beside her; the firelight cast flickering shadows on Xia Mingyu's face, highlighting his perfect bone structure, making his already handsome face look even more alluring.

*So... so handsome! I feel like the Highness is even more handsome after obtaining the profession! *

Then she cast her gaze toward the profession label on top of Xia Mingyu's head—"College Student." Although she hadn't heard of this profession, being able to carry the word "study" undoubtedly showed the high requirement of this profession for the knowledge one has learned.

And a noble person like the Highness even knew the piecemeal knowledge of building cellars to store fruits and making jam...

"I still think a person as knowledgeable as the Highness is more charming!" Anliya shouted with a blushing face.

The volume was so loud that it even startled Xia Mingyu.

It was the first time he had heard the girl use such a high volume; before, in his impression, Anliya had always been that lady-like image with a voice as soft as a mosquito.

"Hoo, thank you for comforting me."

Xia Mingyu let out a long breath and raised his hand to gently touch the girl's head.

Although he knew that what Anliya said was of no benefit to his current situation, when you are dazed and distressed, having a long-legged, thin-waisted beautiful girl sit on the ground beside you and comfort you without worrying about getting dirty, your mood will generally be much better.

Seeing the young man's brow relax, Anliya finally felt relieved, her eyes squinting into crescents, finely feeling the warmth of the large hand on her head.

A moment later, she patted her skirt and slowly stood up.

"Highness," the girl called softly, her voice like a clear spring in the night wind.

"Everyone is dancing, would you like to dance a dance too?"

"If you don't mind..."

Anliya stepped back two steps, put her hands behind her back, and stood on tiptoe. Her cheeks were slightly red, and then she revealed a smile as brilliant as the sun.

"I can be your dance partner."

"... Okay."

Xia Mingyu wanted to refuse, but helplessly, the girl's smile was too dazzling.

*Crackling. *

The bonfire was burning fiercely.

An old villager with white hair and beard held a wooden flute and played a cheerful melody lightly.

And Xia Mingyu, following Anliya's guidance, held her soft hand with one hand and placed the other on her shoulder, moving lightly with the rhythm of the flute.

The girl's dance steps were very elegant, but his dance steps appeared clumsy and stiff; his feet always couldn't catch the beat, and his arms were as stiff as a piece of wood.

The two were always out of rhythm.

"Cough, cough, Anliya, sorry, I'm dragging you down a bit."

Xia Mingyu coughed twice, his face a bit embarrassed.

His limb coordination had always been quite bad; in college, he even failed Tai Chi, which directly dragged his GPA to death.

"It doesn't matter, Highness. After all, I am not as good as you in anything. If I can slightly surpass you in dancing, that is my lifelong honor."

Anliya lifted her skirt, bowed slightly, and said with a hint of playfulness on her exquisite face.

Just then, Xia Mingyu suddenly thought that this might be a good opportunity to test his ability.

He still remembered the information about that ability—*Out of Body: You can empty your mind and let your body take over actions. *

"Anliya, one more time," Xia Mingyu said calmly.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 22 =====