Investing in My Crippled Wife: Every Return Makes Me Stronger

”Talented?” Zura’s smile widened, but she waved a hand modestly. ”Maybe a little. But mostly I just worked hard. The academy doesn’t care about your age or background. If you’re good enough, you get in. And thankfully, I was.”

Soren subtly nodded, noting her humility. She was proud of her achievements, but she didn’t let it go to her head. That was a good sign, as people who were too full of themselves tended to be difficult to work with.

”So, you still haven’t answered my other question,” Zura continued, turning back to him with a pointed look. ”What do you do? And don’t give me a vague answer again.”

Soren chuckled inwardly. ”Well, I’m sure you’ve already guessed it by now, but yeah. I’m a chef. But I’m also a Hunter.”

Zura’s smile widened at his confirmation. ”So you’re really Bagdad’s Savior?!”

”Yes, I’m Chef Soren, Soren Everly.” Soren gave a small nod. ”Though I’d prefer if you didn’t call me that. It sounds more impressive than it actually was.”

Zura leaned forward, her eyes gleaming with interest. ”More impressive than it actually was? You won the Championship! Isn’t that more than enough? And I’ve even come across some rumors online suggesting you had a fight with the Outcasts.”

Soren kept his expression composed, realizing she was testing him. He just chose to stay silent, but took a note to check the internet later.

”...” Zura kept staring at him, waiting for an answer. The silence stretched on, but she didn’t look away. If anything, her smile only grew, as if she was enjoying the challenge.

Before it could get too awkward, Ethea spoke up. ”Zura.”

”Hm?” Zura turned to her friend, her attention finally shifting.

”We actually wanted to ask you something,” Ethea said.

Zura gasped dramatically and placed a hand over her heart. ”Oh? So you’re here for business, not to see your best friend? I see how it is. Now that you have a husband, I’ve been replaced.”

”...Pfft.” Both Ethea and Soren couldn’t help but laugh at her over-the-top reaction. Ethea covered her mouth in order not to ruin her image.

Zura’s act crumbled immediately as she grinned. A moment later, they calmed down. ”Alright, what do you want to ask?” Zura inquired as she took a sip of her tea.

”It’s about the transfer student we talked about before,” Ethea replied. ”Along with a ’gift’ to the academy.”

”I see.” Zura nodded in understanding. After all, they had talked about these matters before, and she had promised to lend a helping hand. Now, it was time to fulfill that promise.

”So, tell me,” she said, setting her teacup down. ”What exactly do you need from me?”

”Let me do it,” Soren said, making a slightly solemn expression. He then explained everything, starting by introducing Ryan to their plan to give the Monolith of the Primal Axis to the Academy. He also included other details that they didn’t need any payment or compensation and just asked that the monolith be used freely by the students.

”...So, we wanted to help us with this.” Soren finished his story.

”...Hmm.” Zura fell silent, probably pondering the proposal. Her expression was unreadable as she stared at her teacup, turning it slowly between her fingers.

After a long moment, she looked up. ”That’s... a lot to take in. Are you saying you want to give something like that? For free?” She glanced between the two of them, as if checking whether they were serious. ”...You’re serious, huh.”

Soren nodded. ”So, what do you think?”

”...Hehe, what else can I say?” Zura grinned. ”I’m in. I’ll help you with the monolith and make sure it gets to the right hands. As for the boy, Ryan, as long as he can pass the transfer exam, I’ll take him into my own class.”

Soren blinked. ”Your class?”

”That’s right.” Zura nodded smugly. ”Although I might not look like it, I’m a homeroom teacher of the third-year class. I took over them last year, and I’ve been doing well, so there’s no need to worry. If the boy passes the transfer exam, he’ll be in good hands.”

’She’s a homeroom teacher, huh...’ Soren’s mind raced. ’Then? Could Nura be in her class too?’

”Zura, do you know a student called Nura?” Ethea, as if reading Soren’s thoughts, spoke up. ”Nura Valmere, to be more exact.”

Zura nodded. ”I know her. Although she’s not in my class, I am her Fire Manipulation Class teacher. And... her condition is a bit special, so I teach her after classes too.”

Soren and Ethea’s eyes lit up, and they exchanged a glance with each other.

”...Is she someone you know?” Zura asked, observing their reactions.

Soren nodded. ”She is... my little sister.”

”...What?” Zura’s eyes widened, her teacup pausing halfway to her lips. She set it down slowly, her expression shifting from surprise to something more serious. ”Your little sister? But she told me her family was... well, she only mentioned her parents.”

”...I heard she has amnesia?” Soren asked after hesitating for a moment. ”Is she ok now? Can you tell me about her?”

”...First, tell me about yourself,” Zura replied, taking a slightly interrogative tone. ”Unless I am sure you’re her real brother, I can’t share anything about her. Even if Ethea is my best friend, I won’t break the rules. I hope you understand that.”

”No worries, I understand it well.” Soren nodded with a smile. ”So, allow me to explain.”

Zura nodded, indicating that he should go on.

”...Actually, I was born into the Valmere family.” Soren started his story. But he kept unnecessary details, like his childhood, to himself and told her only what she needed to know. Like Nura actually being his half-sister, her real mother dying, how she got awakened and ended up bedridden, and even revealed that his marriage to Ethea had a connection to it.

”...That’s the gist of it,” he finished.

Zura listened silently, her expression unreadable throughout. When he was done, she remained quiet for a moment longer, studying him.

”...So...” She finally opened her mouth, her eyes cold. ”You’re telling me that her parents are pure scums who are manipulating your little sister?”

”No,” Ethea cut in before Soren could reply. Her words were resolute, her expression more icy than either Soren or Zura had ever seen. ”They are worse than scum.”