Investing in My Crippled Wife: Every Return Makes Me Stronger

They were welcomed warmly by Ryan’s family. And, as Soren expected, his mother and little sister surrounded Ethea the moment they entered the house and took their seats. Helpless, Soren could only join Ryan’s father’s side.

Looking at the table, Soren was immediately hit with a sense of dejavu. Because it was also filled with more food than they could possibly eat. Plates of sliced fruits, fresh dumplings and bread, small pastries, and a steaming pot of tea sat waiting for them.

Soren raised a hand politely. ”Thank you, but we just had breakfast. We really can’t-”

”Nonsense.” Ryan’s mother waved off his protest before he could finish. ”You are guests in our home. Sit, eat. Even if it’s just a little.”

Soren hesitated, then glanced at Ryan, who gave him a look that said arguing was pointless. With a small sigh and a smile, Soren picked up a piece of bread. ”It’s tasty!”

”Then eat more! You will need a lot of energy for a long journey.”

”Yes...”

”...”

The conversation drifted naturally toward the Temur Empire and the Etenia Academy. Ryan’s parents asked question after question.

Like... Was the Temur Empire safe? How long would the journey take? And was it really true that their son had received a recommendation to the Etenia Academy? Who was this mysterious benefactor?

And so on.

However, that made it obvious how worried they were about their child.

So, Soren answered each one patiently, explaining what he knew and reassuring them where he could. From across the room, Ryan shot him a grateful glance, and Soren responded with a subtle nod before turning back to the next question.

”Thank you for being patient and answering our questions, Mr. Soren,” Ryan’s mother said, her voice warm but tinged with emotion. ”And thank you for helping our son all this time. He has changed so much since he met you.”

Soren smiled and shook his head. ”There’s no need to thank me. Ryan has helped me just as much. Honestly, he is far more mature than any kid his age I have ever met. You should be proud of him. And you don’t need to worry too much, too. He knows what he’s doing.”

Ryan’s parents exchanged a look, and his mother nodded slowly, some of the tension leaving her shoulders. His father placed a hand on Ryan’s head, ruffling his hair without a word.

Soren glanced at the clock and stood. ”We should take our leave now.”

”Already?” Ryan’s mother stood as well. ”Please, stay a little longer. You haven’t even eaten any dessert yet.”

”I’m sorry,” Soren replied, ”but we still have a few more places to go before the day ends.”

Reluctantly, they accepted.

Ryan’s family walked them to the door, and after a final round of farewells, Soren took Ethea outside and made their way back to the car.

”See you in a month~” Soren waved at Ryan, who had come out to see them off.

Ryan nodded. ”I wish you safe travels. Goodbye, Brother Soren and Sister-in-law!”

”Goodbye.”

With that final farewell, Soren pressed the accelerator and pulled away from the curb. Ryan stood at the edge of the driveway, watching the car grow smaller until it rounded the corner and slipped out of sight.

”Till we meet again...”

───────

”...You are here.”

”Yes, sorry to make you wait.” Soren apologized as he greeted Director Elenaria.

”You don’t have to apologize.” Elenaria shook her head and gestured for him to follow her. ”By the way, I heard from the president that you’re leaving the city?”

”Ah, yes, we are departing tomorrow evening,” Soren replied casually. ”Why do you ask, though?”

”Well, I just wanted to test something, but it seems like I won’t be able to.” Elenaria sighed in disappointment.

Soren tilted his head. ”Test what?”

”...When a bonded magic beast dies, it takes some time before the wielder can form a new bond. I was going to help you check whether your bond with Raine had truly been severed. And perhaps...” She glanced at him. ”If the bond is gone, you could have tried to bond with the Aurora Kitsune again.”

Soren went silent for a moment. Then he spoke, his voice quieter than before. ”Thank you for worrying about me, Director. But... I actually saw it... her death... when I visited Malakor the other day.”

Elenaria stopped walking. ”...Malakor showed it to you?”

Soren nodded, keeping his expression sad and guilty.

Elenaria closed her eyes briefly and exhaled. ”I see. Then I am truly sorry for your loss, Mr. Soren.” She paused, as if searching for the right words. ”Even though I never met her, I can tell she was a remarkable magic beast. To willingly sacrifice herself for you...”

She let the sentence hang, then shook her head and looked back at him.

”...Then, should I keep the Kitsune reserved for you, Mr. Soren? In case you return to Kalmira?”

”...I would appreciate that.” Soren nodded slowly. Even if he couldn’t bond with another magic beast himself, there was still Ethea. Her core might recover one day, and when it did, she would be able to form a bond again. Keeping the Kitsune as a potential partner for her was worth it. ”But if someone worthy shows up before we return, don’t hold it on our account. The little Kitsune deserves a good partner.”

Elenaria studied him for a moment, then smiled faintly. ”You really are different from most humands, Mr. Soren.”

”You flatter me, Director.” Soren shook his head. ”...Director, actually, I have been meaning to ask you something for a long time.”

Elenaria tilted her head. ”Oh? Go ahead.”

Soren hesitated for a brief moment, then met her eyes. ”I was wondering if you could check something for me. Have there been any spirits around me or my wife? Either now or in the past?”

Elenaria paused, her gaze shifting to Ethea for a brief moment before returning to Soren.

”There are indeed spirits around you right now, Mr. Soren. But I assume they are not the ones you are referring to.”

”...You are right.”