As Sylutia and her companions approached the square, the massive bonfire stretched their three shadows long across the ground. Even from over ten meters away, the crimson firelight made her feel waves of intense heat.

Around the square, several drummers beat on animal skin drums. Though they were elderly with deep eye sockets and heavily wrinkled skin bathed in the firelight, they now carried a mysterious artistic conception.

Ancient songs rose around the bonfire. With each drumbeat, the people circling the fire would lift and stomp their feet. Sometimes they rotated clockwise, sometimes counterclockwise, the circle formed by their interlocked arms expanding and contracting.

The songs and dance steps, drumbeats and flames achieved a wondrous harmonious resonance, bringing an infectious feeling from distant times. It was as if their ancestors, people from several epochs ago, had hummed around bonfires just like this, celebrating harvest and peace while dispelling the chill and fear of night.

Before they knew it, Sylutia and her two companions set down their fish and stood outside the bonfire circle, completely immersed in the scene.

At some point, someone came over, took Sylutia and her companions' hands, and led them to join the dance around the bonfire. Only then did the three realize many other students had already joined in. Across the fire, Scholar Hyde waved and nodded to them, indicating they needn't worry.

The firelight swelled with the drumbeats, scattered sparks drifting into the night sky. The surging heat spread out, bathing everyone around the bonfire.

The chill within their bodies was dispelled, their weary frames filled with vitality once more. Old accumulated injuries felt warm and were slowly healing imperceptibly.

Without anyone teaching them, they simply relaxed their bodies and followed the linked arms around them. Their feet naturally fell into step with the rhythm, gradually synchronizing.

Harvested wheat grains were scattered into the bonfire, the spreading sparks joining together to form soaring flames that brought another wave of heat.

Following the call of the bonfire and dance, Sylutia gradually immersed herself completely, joining everyone in composing this ancient, timeless movement. This continued until their feet grew sore, when the dance around the bonfire gradually came to an end.

[Ancient Ritual · Bonfire and Dance Steps] (Beast Fang · Bloodline · Blazing Sun)

'In the Seventh Epoch, Barbaric King Mureto led the ancestors through the Vast Star Wilderness, trekking for nearly twelve years through countless hardships before reaching the Midsummer Lands, where he established humanity's first home. To commemorate that long expedition and the peaceful harvest, people danced around bonfires while listening to elders hum the ancient songs of the ancestors.'

-Conditions: Though this ritual has lenient requirements, it still needs three basic elements: rhythmic animal skin drumbeats (Beast Fang), people performing the circular dance (Bloodline), and a grand burning bonfire (Blazing Sun). The more your arrangements synchronize with the legendary journey of Barbaric King Mureto's twelve-year trek, the stronger the ritual effect.

-Notes: After beginning, this ritual spontaneously adjusts to gradually synchronize the pulses of those around the bonfire. When drumbeats, dance steps, and flames achieve harmonious rhythm, the ritual effect manifests. Since this legend comes from Barbaric King Mureto, non-human races cannot participate or they will disrupt the ritual. Drums must be made from animal leather or they will break the ritual. During Rising Wind Season, bonfires naturally carry weak Blazing Sun Aspect and need no additional arrangements. In other wind seasons, Blazing Sun Aspect items are needed for adjustment.

-Effects: Dispels night's chill and fear, coordinates pulse rhythms, alleviates old injuries. (Can suppress erosion from Slumbering Winter and Nightmare Aspects, calms spirit, soothes old injuries)

At night, after the bonfire dance ended, the students enjoyed prepared delicacies with the local villagers. These included meat roasted over the bonfire, freshly made bread pies, and a small amount of wheat ale.

Even Iona, who usually kept to herself the most, sat eating with everyone that evening. When the gathering ended, everyone returned to their respective lodgings to rest, drowsy yet physically relaxed.

After an exceptionally good night's sleep, everyone woke up the next day refreshed and energetic, feeling better than they ever had before.

Was this the power of rituals? So miraculous and beyond explanation.

When Sylutia woke in the morning and recalled the previous night's scene, she still found it somewhat incredible.

In the early morning, after simply eating wheat porridge, Scholar Hyde led the students to the goldenrain tree forest not far from the village.

Walking beneath trees blooming with tiny yellowish stamens, everyone smelled the faint fragrance of flowers and trees. The forest floor had sparse fallen leaves and shrubs.

Passing through the woods, they came to a clearing in the forest where Scholar Hyde had everyone sit on the ground and began teaching that day's lesson.

"Listen to the birdsong, feel this natural tranquility," he first raised his hand, having everyone calm their minds for a moment.

Only then did this erudite scholar slowly recount the previous night's scene.

"Last night, you all experienced a rare bonfire gathering. I think many of you likely sensed something—that this gathering wasn't just about overflowing enthusiasm and delicious food," he narrated slowly.

"Perhaps you've heard through various means about legends from ancient times, stories passed down through the world, and so on."

"Many of these legends aren't fictional but actual historical events. Indeed, the legends themselves constitute a form of power, and this power grows increasingly potent as more people learn of it and through its profound impacts."

"So-called 'rituals' are the reenactment of legends."

"When you understand this statement, you've taken the first step toward mastering various rituals. How to reenact legends constitutes more advanced and complex knowledge and skill."

"Unlike abilities cultivated by supernaturals, ritual effects don't depend on one's own Aspect phase rank but rather on the ritual's completion level and its correspondence to the legend."

"This means even an ordinary mortal can achieve tremendous effects and change situations through rituals, provided they perfectly reenact a certain legend."

"Last night you experienced the ancient ritual 'Bonfire and Dance Steps' passed down from the Seventh Epoch. This summarizes the deeds of Barbaric King Mureto. Similar rituals include 'Red Pear Fruit Melody,' 'Fish Rainbow Fossil,' 'Scar's End,' and so on."

"These rituals remain too profound and difficult for your current understanding, involving numerous legendary histories. Today, you need only learn the ancient ritual 'Bonfire and Dance Steps.'"

"If among you are those like me, who particularly yearn for historical truths and legends, and pursue researching these arts and spreading knowledge as life's purpose, then you may journey to 'Candlekeep' in the future to seek the path of the Secret Word Aspect."

Never before had Scholar Hyde's lessons been listened to with such complete attention from the students. The legends he recounted made the present students imagine countless possibilities, their hearts captivated and minds wandering.

——

Aspect [Secret Word]: (History lies hidden within maxims, the past forges the future)