“Hey! You scum!”

“Eek! L-Lindel, calm down. Ahhhh-“

Eventually, the second round broke out.

* * *

I had many wishes.

As I was an illegitimate child of a noble family, I wished to be recognized by my father. So I picked up a sword.

After picking up the sword, my wish was to become strong.

When I became stronger, my wish was to be recognized by not only my father but by the people who laughed at me as well.

I tried and tried. I became stronger and I had a few people I could call friends.

I wanted to be a wonderful person. I wanted to be strong, wonderful, and respectable just like Shuline, the one who taught me how to wield a sword.

With each step I took, I had more wishes.

Then I met Lionel. A little boy who was as pretty as a doll captured my heart.

Lionel, who was fifteen at the time, was smaller and weaker than me.

I wanted to protect him.

Lionel was an illegitimate child, just like me.

However, the position of the Emperor’s illegitimate child was different from mine, as I was only the Count’s illegitimate child.

Unlike me, who was only hated by the Countess, Lionel was hated by everyone.

The doll-like little boy always lived with an expressionless face holding his breath.

‘I’ll make you the Emperor, Lionel.’

‘You’re crazy.‘

So I swore to the little boy.

Lionel called me crazy immediately, but I was sincere. His happiness was my new wish.

I had many wishes in my life.

My wish for Lionel to become Emperor came true, but my wish to be recognized by my father did not come true.

Some wishes were easily fulfilled while others were left unfulfilled.

But I thought that the dream itself was already worth it. Dreaming of countless wishes, I was already shining.

A wish is a hope and a step towards tomorrow.

No one can judge me, with all the achievements I have.

I was a perfect being. I loved myself.

One day, when many wishes were fulfilled and many were not, I met a dragon. A dragon who wanted to make my wish come true.

At that time, I had another wish.

‘I am Noir Laroque. Sign a contract with me. Whatever your wish is, I’ll make it come true.’

It would be nice if I could fulfill my wish on my own, but just because I borrowed someone else’s power doesn’t mean my light will fade.

I am willing to seize the opportunity in front of me.

‘Our contract has been made. I will make your wish come true, and you will have to satisfy the terms. Get rid of the lock on me and grant me freedom.’

Someone said that dreams that go beyond the limit are greedy.

But I don’t think it is greedy.

I was a noble being. I loved myself and I was loved. That was enough.

I was such a person.

Therefore, it was the very first time in my life that I regretted my wish.

Because of that damn dragon.

“Don’t raise your hand!”

“I’m sorry, Lindel! Forgive me! My arms hurt!”

Laroque, who was kneeling and holding out both his arms, cried out. Nevertheless, I had no intention of forgiving him. 

When I raised my eyes, Laroque raised his arms again with a sullen face.

I sighed and turned my eyes back to the papers I was holding.

The white paper and the writing in black ink.

Even after reading for a long time, I sighed at the stack of paper that was still piled up.

“Will it be faster to die from overwork after reading all this… Or will it be faster to die because of the contract you made?”

“You’re not going to die.”

“No. I’m very anxious right now. I haven’t lived a long life.”

I threw the papers I had in my hands and rested my head on the desk.

Of course, I didn’t forget to turn and stare at Laroque.

“Of course, I’ll kill you before I die.”

“V-Violence is not n-necessary!!”

Before I sighed again, I felt something hot suddenly making its way up my throat.

I immediately closed my mouth, but I couldn’t stop it and vomited.

“Kuk!”

My palms as well as my sleeves were covered in dark, red blood.

No matter how many times I say it, they don’t believe me.

As I stared at the blood I had just vomited, Laroque, who had peeked, quickly put the contract back into the subspace.

“The contract shouldn’t get wet. Hahaha!”

“Can you put people into the subspace? Maybe you can put me in there and take me out outside.”

“I can’t put anything alive in there. It’ll die from internal warping.”

“Nothing is helping.”

I vomited a lot of blood so I felt dizzy again. 

It wasn’t painful nor was there any pain, but I lacked blood and strength.

“How long did you say I had to vomit blood?”

“…I don’t know exactly when.”

“I’m going back.”

“But you can’t help it if you want your wish to come true. You have to make sure your body is in optimal condition.”

“If I knew vomiting blood was a side effect, I would have never signed the contract.”

According to Laroque, vomiting blood is the process to make my body be in optimal condition to fulfill my wish.

In other words, the harmful substances in my body are flushed out in the form of blood.

“This is the biggest problem. Because of this, everyone thinks I’m going to die.”

“…Sorry.”

I just sighed.