Midseashire, Limon City.
Jasmine wrapped a scarf around her face and walked out of the apartment's door.
She heard that the annual Limon Carnival had begun and wanted to take a look at the municipal square.
At this time last year, due to the war, the carnival hadn't been held, leaving Jasmine very disappointed. After that, she suffered the greatest trauma in her life. She had been hiding at home, not daring or wanting to go out.
Perhaps it was because she had been isolated for too long and had been confined to the cramped environment of her home, Jasmine had recently wanted to go out on the streets and walk around, just like in the past.
With a turn of her gaze, she saw herself in the large glass window of a shop by the street.
Her entire body was pitch-black without any impurities. Her long dress reached her ankles, and the mesh of her hat covered most of her face. From below her eyes to her neck, she was wrapped in layers of scarf. She wore a pair of woolen gloves on each of her palms.
This was completely different from the cheerful and lively Jasmine remembered her.
In the previous war, an artillery shell had destroyed Jasmine and her parents' original home. It had also brought about a fire that burned her face and left her body covered in wounds.
If she hadn't been lucky enough, Jasmine would have long died from her serious injuries. But even so, she felt that her life seemed to have come to an end at that moment.
Now, her nose had been burned off, leaving only two black holes. There were many traces of flames on her face, neck, and hands. If she walked in the dark, she could completely act as a devil.
Jasmine remembered something very clearly. On the first night she moved into this apartment, she had cleaned herself in the public bathroom before going to bed. Just as she walked out the door, she saw a youth come over, and the youth had also seen her.
Under the crimson moonlight, the youth revealed an extremely horrified expression. It was as if he would jump up at any moment, turn around, and run away.
In the end, he controlled himself and took a few steps to the side, not daring to look at Jasmine's face.
This pierced through Jasmine's fragile heart. From that day onwards, she didn't go out anymore. Even if she wanted to clean herself, she would wait until the dead of night.
In this regard, she was very grateful to her parents. This was because they didn't say anything and worked hard to maintain their lives. They relied on their original savings and the jobs they found later on to barely support their family. They didn't need Jasmine to go out to earn a salary.
After walking for a distance, Jasmine saw the main venue of the carnival — Limon City Square.
The crowd, the venting of all sorts of emotions, and the enthusiastic atmosphere made Jasmine subconsciously stop in her tracks.
She didn't dare to get close, afraid that someone would notice her oddly dressed self, afraid that the scarf would fall off if she wasn't careful.
After hesitating for a few seconds, she stopped completely, found a clean spot on the street, sat down, and focused on looking at the municipal square.
After an unknown period of time, Jasmine sensed that there was someone around her.
It was a young man wearing a black robe and a tall hat. He looked like a Magician from a circus.
The municipal square is over there … Jasmine wanted to remind him, but after her lips quivered a few times, she didn't open them.
She didn't dare and didn't want to talk to others.
However, the young man took the initiative to walk over, took off his top hat, and bowed slightly.
"Miss, do you know what this machine does?"
Machine? Jasmine subconsciously looked up and followed the young man's gaze in a daze before looking to the side.
Under the gas street lamp, a machine that looked like a small wardrobe had stood there at some point in time.
Its surface was brass in color, and it was embedded with a few pieces of glass that weren't transparent. The gears, bearings, rivets, metal pipes, and other parts were exposed, making it look very rough.
Jasmine retracted her gaze and shook her head, indicating that she didn't know what the machine was for.
At the same time, it also expressed her intention to refuse communication.
"It's called the Fully Automatic Wishing Machine," the young man introduced with a smile. The young man smiled and introduced, "This is my invention. It can automatically fulfill the wishes of the controller. 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 word, but she couldn't put them together.
"You can give it a try. As the first person to experience it, it's free," Klein, who had transformed into Merlin Hermes, said with a smile.
Jasmine shook her head and refused to communicate.
Klein wasn't discouraged at all as he glanced at the man.
He glanced at her and said, "For example, you can make a wish to return to your original appearance."
This sentence was like a sharp arrow that shot into Jasmine's heart. It shocked her so much that she stood up and hurriedly retreated in an attempt to leave.
She suspected that he had already seen her current appearance.
"How do you know if your wish will come true if you don't give it a try? It's not like you need to pay anything, "Klein said unhurriedly as he looked at her back.
Jasmine's footsteps gradually slowed down and finally stopped.
If she could return to her original appearance, she was willing to pursue it even if she had to pay a large sum of money.
However, she knew that the wish in her heart couldn't be fulfilled with money.
No cost … Free attempt … What if it comes true … Jasmine's mind churned as she slowly turned around as though she had been tempted by a devil.
"Really?" she asked in a hoarse voice.
Klein pointed at the machine.
"I can retreat ten meters away. All you need to do is turn the wrench on that machine.
"There's no need for you to take off your hat and scarf."
The last sentence moved Jasmine. She quickly nodded.
"Alright."
After Merlin Hermes retreated a certain distance, Jasmine approached the machine and carefully grasped the wrench on the "door."
She was actually very worried that she would encounter a prank after turning it, such as getting water poured on her head. This was something that happened every year during the carnival. She and her friends had teased others in the past, but compared to a wish that could be fulfilled, she felt that it was bearable.
Even if it was proven that there was no such thing as a wish being fulfilled, it could still be considered an experience for her during the carnival.
"Remember to make your wish before turning it," Klein reminded her from not far away.
Jasmine composed herself and silently said her wish.
"I want to return to how I was before I was burned by the fire."
With that said, she nervously and expectantly turned the wrench.
In the next second, the "door" of the Fully Automatic Wishing Machine opened. An ordinary wood-colored cane stretched out and touched Jasmine's forehead.
When Jasmine wasn't paying attention, a golden ruby ring appeared on her hand.
When the wooden cane retracted back into the Fully Automatic Wishing Machine, the ruby-inlaid golden ring also disappeared.
Amidst the sound of gears turning, Jasmine saw the "door" of the machine slowly close.
That's it? She thought in a daze.
She didn't experience the feeling of her wish being fulfilled, nor did she encounter a prank. Everything seemed so strange.
"Congratulations, your wish has been fulfilled." Klein walked back and clapped gently, as though he was a witness.
My wish has been fulfilled … How is this possible … Just as this thought flashed through Jasmine's mind, she suddenly felt something under her scarf.
Something was protruding from the place where only two black holes were left!
Jasmine hesitantly raised her palm and touched her face. She could clearly feel the existence of her nose.
And the experience when she breathed also proved this point.
She suddenly turned around, her back facing Merlin Hermes, and she walked to a shop by the street. Under the light of the gas lamps, she cast her gaze on the glass window.
Following that, she removed the scarf that wrapped around her face layer by layer.
Her eyes weren't big, her nose wasn't straight, and her lips weren't plump. A girl with a few freckles was reflected in the window.
Jasmine subconsciously raised her hand and covered her mouth. Her eyes were filled with light and mist.
After a few seconds, she raised her arm and wiped her face with her sleeve. She turned back to look at Merlin Hermes.
"Are you a god?"
"I'm just a Magician who likes to create miracles." Klein smiled and pointed at the machine beside him. "You should be most thankful to this, the Fully Automatic Wishing Machine."
"Fully automatic …" Jasmine's emotions surged as she subconsciously repeated it.
Klein nodded and said, "Yes.
It doesn't need anyone's help. It's a Fully Automatic Wishing Machine that can operate on its own.
"You can understand it as a gas meter. As long as you put in a coin, you can fulfill your wish just like how you obtain gas.
"The specific steps are very simple. Put in a penny, make your wish, and then turn the wrench.
"Remember, you can only fulfill three wishes."
As he explained, Klein mocked himself inwardly.
If I were to die one day and become a Sealed Artifact, I hope it's something like the Fully Automatic Wishing Machine.
After leaving Constant City, the capital of Midseashire, Klein changed the way he fulfilled other people's wishes to prevent himself from being bored.
Humans always had to learn to find joy in boring work.
This is really magical … Jasmine couldn't find the words to describe her feelings.
Her agitated emotions settled down quite a bit.
"It, I mean this Fully Automatic Wishing Machine, will it always be here?" Jasmine asked hesitantly.
Klein smiled.
"No.
"It might stay here for three days, or it might not be that long. Perhaps it will 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 found it difficult to sort out her thoughts. All she could do was face the machine and bow seriously.
"Thank you, Mr. Fully Automatic Wishing Machine."
Then, she bowed at Klein.
"Thank you, Mr. Hermes."
Before she could finish her sentence, Jasmine recalled what Merlin Hermes had just said. She asked in anticipation, surprise, and embarrassment, "What's wrong with you?
She asked in anticipation, surprise, and embarrassment, "It can fulfill three wishes?"
"Yes, but it won't be free in the future. You need to put in a coin," Klein replied without minding at all.
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