The Extra Villain: I Made a Contract With The Dragon Empress!

"So, what gift are you going to give me, Ancestor?" Luna asked, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.

Walking beside her, Crystal just smiled and shook her head.

"You'll see soon enough."

Luna swallowed the words she had been about to ask and decided to wait patiently.

The two walked down the palace corridor. Luna knew this hallway well—it led to the treasure room.

She didn't know what Crystal intended to give her, but she was certain it would be something incredibly valuable.

A few moments later, they reached the treasure room.

Crystal deactivated the secret mechanism and stepped inside.

Luna followed, her eyes widening in awe.

Although she had visited the room before, her amazement never waned at the sight of countless priceless treasures neatly arranged.

Crystal stopped in front of a glass case at the far end of the room.

Inside sat a bottle filled with red liquid.

Crystal opened the case and took it out, studying it for a moment before handing it to Luna.

Luna accepted it and asked, "What is this, Ancestor?"

For some reason, the red liquid made her pulse quicken.

Crystal smiled. "This is the blood of the founder of the Tharot family. As a descendant, you must feel a sense of connection, right?"

"Yes… I do," Luna admitted.

"The founder of the Tharot family was extraordinarily powerful," Crystal continued softly. "If he were brought to this era, his strength would rival that of the First Spirit Core. He was, without a doubt, far stronger than Gabriel Solayne."

"To achieve such feats, he possessed a special bloodline, said to be linked to an ancient creature—a giant red bird named Zephyros. Unfortunately…"

She let out a deep sigh. "Since the founder's passing, none of his children or descendants have inherited his bloodline—not even I or my son. Perhaps foreseeing this, he left behind his blood essence, hoping a future descendant would one day awaken it."

Luna couldn't hide her shock.

She had never imagined that the Tharot family held such a profound secret she had been unaware of.

"Then why didn't the previous generations use it? Wouldn't it have given them an advantage?" Luna asked, her voice tinged with doubt.

Crystal smiled wryly. "It's simple—no one was compatible. The blood essence has survived for centuries since the founder's time, yet none of his descendants could control it. Forcing it could cost them their lives."

"And since this liquid is such a precious treasure, it couldn't simply be left to vanish. So rules were established to preserve it, waiting for a descendant worthy of receiving it. And that descendant is you, Luna."

"Me?" Luna froze, stunned. "Ancestor, are you serious? How could it be me?"

She wasn't from this era, and as far as she could remember, the founder's blood essence had never been seen in the mansion's treasure room.

She didn't know whether it had been lost—or if something else had occurred.

However, the Tharot family in this timeline was certain to prosper for centuries.

Surely, there had to be someone in the future more deserving of the blood essence than her.

"I'm not joking." Crystal's expression grew serious. "A few days ago, I tried to test your compatibility with the founder's blood essence. Do you know what happened? The liquid responded to you. If you don't believe me, focus your mind on it."

Despite her doubts, Luna obeyed. She stared at the bottle and concentrated.

Suddenly, the still red liquid began to stir.

Moments later, a faint red light radiated from it.

Luna felt a powerful pull, as if the essence itself wanted to merge with her.

'This…' Her heart raced. 'How is this possible? Why me? I'm not even from this era!'

No matter how she reasoned, there was no logical explanation.

Yet if Merlin were here, he wouldn't be surprised. Luna was the heroine of the book.

It was only natural that things meant for her—like this blood essence—would return to her.

"Now that you know the truth, will you accept it? I can help you awaken the bloodline within you," Crystal offered.

Hundreds of years had passed, and not a single descendant had been compatible.

Only Luna could make the founder's blood essence surge like this.

It was clear: she was the one destined for it.

"I…" Luna hesitated. Unlike others, she had no desire for power or strength.

She only wanted a peaceful life, free from trouble.

Seeing her reluctance, Crystal looked momentarily helpless. It was the first time she had encountered someone unwilling to accept great power.

Yet that made her admire Luna even more. Where others craved power, Luna was refreshingly different.

"If you refuse, I can promise you this—Merlin will leave you," Crystal said bluntly.

Luna froze, staring at her ancestor in shock.

"What do you mean, Ancestor?"

Crystal looked deeply into her eyes. "Luna, tell me—how do you feel about Merlin? Do you like him or not?"

Luna was stunned. Her face turned bright red, and she opened her mouth to speak—but Crystal held her back.

"Answer honestly, from the bottom of your heart. Just think about it."

Luna swallowed the words she had wanted to say, bit her lower lip, and nodded faintly.

"So… do you like him?"

"Yes, I… like him," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Crystal chuckled softly. "Good. Now tell me—do you want to be with him forever?"

"I do." Luna's voice was firmer this time, full of resolve.

"But what if I told you that being with him would be difficult? Would you still hold onto that feeling?"

Luna frowned. "What do you mean, Ancestor?"

Crystal exhaled deeply. "To be honest, Merlin is incredibly smart and talented. In all my years, I've never met anyone like him. You may not know this, but I can see a person's aura. And do you know what I see in him?"

Luna shook her head, her curiosity clearly piqued.

"It's a dazzling golden aura!" Crystal marveled. "The first time I've ever seen one. I can promise you—Merlin's future will be extraordinary. But what about you? Will you be able to keep up with him?"

Luna froze, at a loss for words. Crystal went on, "You also possess a golden aura, but it pales in comparison to Merlin's. You're talented, yes—but only average. In the future, he will meet many girls more beautiful and gifted than you. Can you truly compete with them?"

The thought made Luna's heart race.

"No… I don't want to!" she exclaimed, her fear and worry clear.

Crystal nodded, satisfied. "Then, do you want to become stronger?"

Luna's expression hardened with determination. "I… want to!"