@Arvadiel @DonGiovanni
To not use contractions (at least in the English and German languages, though I suspect the same would be true of all languages due to social dynamics) is and was a sign of higher education, intelligence and care for one's own appearance. It's designed to give a specific impression, because other people will notice it and that it's an intentional thing, something planned and premeditated. And so, the more effortless it appears, the longer that person must have been of higher status, the more power he must possess.
That's why the usage of contractions in stories and translations is actually something to be carefully considered. It works great in school manga for example, due to the natural feel of it. It will break immersion in stories where the MC is supposed to be a respectable person of some form, or simply an elevated one.