Midseashire, Limon City .
Jasmine wrapped a scarf around her face and exited the apartment .
She had heard that the annual Limon Carnival had begun, so she wanted to visit it at the municipal square .
Because of the war last year, the carnival hadn’t been held . This had greatly disappointed Jasmine . After that, she suffered the greatest trauma in her life . From then on, she hid at home and didn’t dare to go out .
Perhaps it was because she had been confined at home for too long—one that was very cramped—Jasmine had been eager to go on the streets recently . She wanted to walk around just like she did in the past .
As she turned her gaze, she saw her reflection in the large glass window by the side of the street .
Her figure was pitch-black without any other color . Her long dress reached her ankles, and the veil of her hat covered half of her face . From the bottom of her eyes to her neck, there was a scarf wrapped several times around her neck . Both of her hands were wearing a pair of knitted gloves .
This was completely different from the cheerful and lively Jasmine in her memories .
In the previous war, a cannonball had destroyed her original home and resulted in a fire . She suffered burns to the face, causing her body to be covered in wounds .
If not for the fact that she was lucky enough, Jasmine would’ve died from the serious injuries . But even so, she felt like her life had ended from that very moment .
Her nose had been burnt away, leaving only two black holes . There were many traces left behind by the fire on her face, neck, and hands . If she were to walk in the dark, she would pass off for a devil perfectly .
Jasmine clearly remembered one thing: on the first night of moving to this apartment, she had washed up in the public bathroom before sleeping . Just as she walked out of the door, she saw a youth walk over . The youth had also seen her .
Under the crimson moonlight, the youth revealed an expression of extreme horror, as if he would jump up at any moment . He turned around and ran away .
Finally, he controlled himself and took a few steps to the side, not daring to look at Jasmine’s face again .
This pierced through Jasmine’s fragile heart . From that day onwards, she never left the house again . Even if she had to wash up, she would wait until it was late at night .
In this aspect, she was very grateful to her parents because they didn’t say a word . They did their best to maintain their lives, relying on their original savings and the work they later found to barely support the family . They didn’t need Jasmine to work outside for a salary .
After walking a distance, Jasmine saw the main venue of the carnival—Lemon City Municipal Square .
There was a sea of heads and all kinds of reveling emotions . The enthusiastic atmosphere made Jasmine subconsciously stop in her tracks .
She didn’t dare approach, afraid that someone would notice that she was dressed strangely, afraid that she might accidentally drop her scarf .
After hesitating for a few seconds, she finally stopped . She found a clean spot by the street and sat down . She stared intently at the municipal square .
After an unknown period of time, Jasmine sensed someone beside her .
It was a young man in a long black robe and a tall hat . He was like a magician from a circus .
The municipal square is over there… Jasmine wanted to remind him, but after she quivered her lips a few times, she didn’t part them .
She didn’t dare to speak to anyone .
However, the young man took the initiative to walk over . He took off his hat and bowed slightly .
“Miss, do you know what this machine is for?”
Machine? Jasmine subconsciously looked up and dazedly followed the young man’s gaze .
Under the streetlamp, a small wardrobe-like machine was sitting there at some point in time .
Its surface was a brass color with a few transparent glass, gears, and bearings embedded in it . The components were exposed, looking very crude .
Jasmine retracted her gaze and shook her head, indicating that she didn’t know what the machine was .
At the same time, this also expressed her intention to reject conversing .
“It’s called a ‘Fully Automatic Wishing Machine,'” the young man introduced with a smile . “It’s my invention . It can automatically fulfill the wish of someone who operates it . By the way, I forgot to introduce myself . My name is Merlin Hermes, a wandering magician . ”
Fully Automatic Wishing Machine… Jasmine realized that she could understand every single word but failed to understand the combined name .
“You can give it a try . As the first user to experience it, it’s free,” Klein, who had taken on the identity of Merlin Hermes, said with a smile .
Jasmine shook her head, refusing the conversation .
Klein didn’t give up . He looked at her and said, “For example, you can make a wish to be restored with your original looks . ”
These words were like a sharp arrow that shot into Jasmine’s heart . She stood up in shock and retreated hastily in an attempt to leave .
She suspected that he had already seen her current appearance .
“If you don’t give it a try, how do you know that your wish won’t come true? It’s free,” Klein said unhurriedly as he looked past her into the background .
Jasmine gradually slowed down and finally stopped .
If she could be restored with her original looks, even if she had to pay a huge sum of money, she would still be willing to do so .
However, she knew that the wish in her heart couldn’t be granted by money .
I don’t have to pay anything… It’s a free try… What if it comes true… Jasmine’s thoughts were in an upheaval, and she slowly turned around as if she was being enticed by a devil .
“Really?” she asked in a hoarse voice .
Klein pointed at the machine .
“I can retreat ten meters, and all you need to do is to turn the wrench on the machine .
“You don’t have to remove your hat and scarf . ”
The last sentence moved Jasmine into action as she quickly nodded and said, “Okay . ”
Not long after Merlin retreated a certain distance, Jasmine moved closer to the machine, gingerly grasping the wrench on the “door . ”
She was actually very worried that this was part of a prank that involved pulling the wrench, such as being splashed by water . This was something that would happen every year during the carnival . She and her friends had often played such pranks on others, but compared to a wish that could be fulfilled, she felt that it was an acceptable risk .
Even if it was proven that having her wish granted was impossible, it could still be treated as her experience at the carnival .
“Remember to make your wish before you turn it,” Klein reminded her from not too far away .
Jasmine collected her thoughts and silently voiced her wish .
“I want to return to my former self before the burns . ”
With that, she turned the wrench nervously and expectantly .
In the next second, the “door” to the Fully Automatic Wishing Machine opened . A normal wooden cane reached out and tapped Jasmine’s forehead .
What Jasmine didn’t notice was a golden ring embedded with rubies that had appeared on her hand .
When the wooden cane retracted back into the Fully Automatic Wishing Machine, the golden ring with the rubies disappeared as well .
As the gears turned, Jasmine saw the machine’s “door” slowly close .
That’s it? she thought blankly .
She didn’t experience the feeling of having her wish fulfilled, nor was she being pranked . Everything seemed so strange .
“Congratulations . Your wish has been granted . ” Klein walked back and clapped gently like a witness to a magical event .
My wish has been granted… How is this possible… Just as this thought flashed through her mind, she suddenly felt something beneath her scarf .
The spot where there were only two black holes left had been propped up!
Jasmine slowly raised her hand and touched her face, clearly sensing the presence of her nose .
And the quality of her breathing proved this point .
She suddenly turned around, her back facing Merlin Hermes . She walked to a shop by the side of the street and cast her gaze at the glass window .
Then, she removed the scarf covering her face .
Eyes that weren’t big, a nose that wasn’t too well-defined, and her lips that weren’t too full—the freckled face of a girl was reflected on the window .
Jasmine subconsciously raised her hand and covered her mouth . Her eyes glistened .
After a few seconds, she raised her arm and wiped her face with her sleeve . She turned to look at Merlin Hermes and said, “Are you a god?”
“I’m just a magician who likes to create miracles . ” Klein smiled as he pointed at the machine beside him . “The thing you should thank the most is that—the Fully Automatic Wishing Machine . ”
“Fully Automatic…” Jasmine’s emotions stirred as she subconsciously repeated .
Klein nodded and said, “Yes, a Fully Automatic Wishing Machine that can operate without any external help .
“You can understand it as a gas meter . As long as you throw in a coin, you can get a wish granted like how you obtain gas .
“The specific steps are very simple . Throw one penny in and make your wish before turning the wrench .
“Remember, only three wishes can be fulfilled . ”
While explaining, Klein inwardly mocked himself, If I were to unfortunately die one day and become a Sealed Artifact, I hope it’s something similar to the Fully Automatic Wishing Machine .
After leaving the capital of Midseashire, Constant City, Klein changed the method of granting other people’s wishes to prevent himself from being too bored .
One had to learn to seek joy in mundane work .
How miraculous… Jasmine couldn’t find the words to describe how she felt inside .
Her exhilarated emotions calmed down a little .
“Will it… I mean will this Fully Automatic Wishing Machine stay here forever?” Jasmine asked hesitantly .
Klein smiled and said, “No . ”
“It could stay here for three days, or maybe not that long . Perhaps it would disappear when the sun rises .
“But it won’t disappear forever . Perhaps one day, you will see it at the corner of the street again . ”
Jasmine’s mind was in a mess and she was unable to sort out her thoughts . All she could do was bow to the machine and say seriously, “Thank you, Mr . Fully Automatic Wishing Machine . ”
Then, she bowed at Klein .
“Thank you, Mr . Hermes . ”
As soon as she said that, Jasmine recalled the words Merlin Hermes had just said . Filled with anticipation, surprise, and embarrassment, she asked, “Three wishes can be granted?”
“Yes, but it won’t be free in the future . You will need to pay a penny,” Klein replied, unfazed by the question .
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