Investing in My Crippled Wife: Every Return Makes Me Stronger

The info for Amplification revealed itself, the details sending a jolt of pure adrenaline through his veins.

The passive acted as a direct modifier, representing a permanent expansion of his Authority.

From this moment onward, every investment evaluation he completed would receive a baseline bonus, guaranteeing a higher tier of scaling and richer returns for his successfully nurtured targets.

It was a foundational upgrade to his entire investment path.

’Just imagine...’

If he had possessed it before this investment, perhaps he would have gotten even more rewards, or perhaps their overall quality would have increased to an even more absurd degree.

’I... I’ll have to work even harder.’

Soren clenched his left fist, feeling the solid, dense strength in his fingers, while his right hand remained resting in Ethea’s grasp.

He made a firm mental note to research the mechanics of his Authority more deeply once he had the chance, before turning his focus back to the analysis.

The active effect was remarkably similar to Ryan’s Amplification. It was like a slightly downgraded version. Yet, if even a downgraded variant of that power was ranked as an S-Rank skill, then what rank was Ryan’s actual ability? Was his initial guess about it being an SSS-Rank trait true?

’Yeah, ninety percent.’ Soren thought, a quiet wave of awe washing over him. ’Ten percent for being even higher.’

Looking back at the description, he realized that actually utilizing this fraction of Ryan’s explosive power would require immense physical caution.

The skill boasted a staggering ten-times multiplier at its absolute ceiling, but a quick assessment of his current baseline limits told him that his present body could only handle an amplification factor of two. Anything beyond that would tear his muscles apart. Still, doubling his entire combat capability on command was a massive trump card.

With his pulse still elevated, Soren shifted his attention down to the next main dish on the list.

[Dual Eclipse Arts]

Unlike Amplification, which acted as a multiplier, this was a complete martial blueprint.

A dual fighting style designed specifically for two closely bonded combatants, detailing how their movements, positioning, and mana wavelengths should mirror and complement each other.

One would act as the immutable anchor, absorbing the enemy’s pressure, while the other became the fluid striker, exploiting the openings.

’We should definitely learn this,’ Soren thought, the sheer potential of the framework sending a thrill through his chest. ’It really suits us perfectly.’

With a satisfied nod, he moved his focus to the final return on the list.

’Pathfinder...’

The skill would passively increase his perception, allowing him to instinctively sense the underlying structure of any gate environment.

More importantly, it was designed to help him find a ’path’ forward. If he ever ended up trapped in an abnormal gate or a chaotic distortion again, the skill would allow him to cut through the confusion and find the right direction, making it much easier to figure out the actual clearing objective.

’This will be helpful a lot too.’

Having this capability meant he wouldn’t be flying blind when things went sideways. It turned him into a true vanguard capable of navigating the most volatile terrains safely.

With a relaxed exhale, he let his focus drift past the final entry. He was just about to close the interface, but something caught his attention.

’...There’s more?’

He mentally tapped the previous icon.

───────

[NOTIFICATION]

You have unread system logs.

The delay in processing is due to the user’s prolonged unconscious state.

[INVESTMENT AUTHORITY - SECONDARY TARGETS]

Targets: Team 14 / Exam Group (Garin, Narcus, Hana, Chloe, Dia)

Status: Investment Completed.

Would you like to view the final evaluation and claim your returns?

[YES / NO]

───────

Soren stared at the blinking prompt, a wave of sudden realization hitting him.

...Garin, Narcus, Hana, Chloe, and Dia.

Ryan’s classmates.

’But how did it become an investment?’

Curious, he selected yes.

───────

[Investment detected.]

[Targets: Members of the Exam Group / Team 14 (Garin Vale, Narcus, Hana, Chloe, Dia)]

[Analyzing investment...]

[Investment: During a high-stakes academy field evaluation, you encountered a rogue, highly volatile Golden Gate. When the team’s leader attempted to commandeer the anomaly and forcefully sacrificed a teammate as bait, you refused to remain a passive observer. You actively intervened against a coordinated assault by five students. By systematically subduing the attackers and absorbing a lethal friendly-fire inferno to shield an unconscious classmate, you forcefully executed an evacuation order.]

[Analyzing target responses...]

[Team 14: Your absolute combat suppression and unexpected sacrifice shattered their worldview. By absorbing a lethal blast to save one of the targets and forcing them to evacuate, you indirectly saved the entire party from certain annihilation, while leaving their psychological baselines fundamentally altered.]

[Evaluating investment...]

[Evaluation complete.]

[Investment Grade: Moderate High]

[Calculating returns...]

[Calculation complete.]

[Returns granted:]

[Applying Authority Modifier: Amplification (Passive) — Baseline bonus applied. Reward tier scaling upgraded.]

[Returns granted:]

[1. Intimidation (C-Rank)]

[2. Fire Resistance (C-Rank)]

[3. Binding Threads (C-Rank) — Conjures high-density mana cords that automatically track, constrict, and restrict the mana flow of subdued targets based on the user’s focus.]

[Integration initiated...]

───────

Thankfully, integration went smoothly this time.

After giving a quick, satisfied look at the returns, his eyes became glued to that one specific line in the log.

’...you indirectly saved the entire party from certain annihilation...’

Soren’s gaze hardened as he read the words over and over.

’Does that mean...’

’If I weren’t there and stopped them...’

’They were definitely going to die?’

The realization sent a chill through his chest.

If he had left them alone, and they had entered the Gate, they would end up in the Sunless Relinquary.

’Well, Senior probably wouldn’t have killed them. However, he wouldn’t have shown them mercy either. Considering what they had done to Ryan. Especially that brat, Garin.’

Soren nodded at his own guess.

If they had actually ended up inside the real Golden Gate, with their mediocre skills, death was a one-hundred percent guarantee. Even if they somehow managed to beat all the initial drakelings, they didn’t possess Investor’s Insight. They would have been entirely unable to figure out the clearing objective, running blindly through the shifting space until they inevitably became the Drake King’s food.

’Guess it was a blessing in disguise for them as well.’