Investing in My Crippled Wife: Every Return Makes Me Stronger

Sighing, Soren continued, stopping briefly at the hidden traits. The names were enough to tell him everything he needed to know. However, he still checked them out of caution.

’...As expected, nothing noteworthy.’

Unsurprisingly, even the investment value was low. Soren guessed his father must have hit his potential, or it was because of his nature. There was one similar case before.

’...Right, it was Ziso Vale who had high risk, low return value.’

The Authority had likely marked him as a poor investment because his character flaws outweighed any potential benefit. Sevrin seemed to fall into the same category too.

’...Not that I ever planned to invest in him anyway.’

He dismissed this window and moved on to his mother’s status window.

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Name: Melina Valmere

Race: Human

Age: 52

Status: Healthy

Rank: 4th Circle (Mid Stage)

Current Mana Level: 165,600

Mental State: Content, Watchful, Dismissive

Abilities: Water’s Embrace

Affinities: Water (Grade 6 - A Rank)

Hidden Talent / Traits: Chronic Fatigue, Keen Awareness

Potential: 5th Circle (Estimated)

Investment Value: Moderate

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’...’ Soren wasn’t surprised by his mother’s low cultivation despite having the potential to reach a higher circle. She spent seven years bedridden after giving birth to him. Not to mention how uninterested she was in cultivating.

She had always preferred comfort and luxury over hard work, relying on others to protect her while she enjoyed the benefits of her position. Training, fighting, growing stronger; none of it mattered to her. What mattered was maintaining her image and living without effort.

Soren had learned that about her long ago.

However, her mental state suggested something more.

’Hmm...’

She was content, probably because her act as a loving mother was working. Watchful, likely scanning for any threats or prying eyes that might disrupt their carefully crafted image. And dismissive, which could mean she had already written off anyone she deemed beneath her notice.

Nodding inwardly, he read her ability’s description.

Water’s Embrace allowed her to breathe and move freely in water, as well as see through it without obstruction. It also enhanced her regeneration when she was submerged or near water, allowing her to recover from injuries and fatigue at an accelerated rate. It was a passive ability too.

’...Not bad,’ he admitted. It was definitely useful, especially for someone with her condition.

’Wait.’ He paused at the thought. ’...Why did it take her so long to get healed then?’

If her ability enhanced regeneration near water, she could have recovered faster. The Valmere estate had a private hot spring and several enchanted baths. They could have used those or found favorable locations to help her recover. Yet she had spent seven years bedridden, and no one had thought to try.

Soren frowned.

Either she didn’t tell them about that part of her ability or she simply never bothered to learn. Considering her nature, the latter was more likely. She probably only knew she could breathe and see underwater and never questioned if there was more to it.

Sighing, he moved on to her hidden traits. His eyes lingered on the first one.

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[Description: A condition that causes persistent exhaustion and low energy levels. The afflicted tire easily and need more rest than most. Physical and mental exertion wear them down faster, and recovery is slower than normal.]

════════════════

’...Chronic Fatigue, huh.’

It somehow explained why she often seemed tired, why she spent a lot of time resting, why she avoided anything that required real effort. But it also made him wonder. Was this a condition she had before giving birth to him? Or was it something that developed after?

If she had it from the beginning, then it would make sense why the birth took such a heavy toll on her. A body already weakened by chronic fatigue would struggle to recover from something as strenuous as childbirth. But then... why didn’t it happen with his three older siblings? She had given birth before him without any issues. So what was different that time?

He thought about it but couldn’t find a plausible answer.

And if it was the latter, then his birth might have really triggered it. Perhaps the strain of labor had permanently damaged her body, which never fully healed. Perhaps he really was the cause, at least in part.

Soren shook his head. It didn’t matter. Even if he had been the cause of her condition, that didn’t justify what they, she, had done to him.

With that in mind, he quickly scanned the rest, closed it, and moved on to the last window.

════════════════

Name: Nura Valmere

Race: Human

Age: 16

Status: Stable (Critical)

Rank: 2nd Circle (Early Stage)

Current Mana Level: 16,765/35000

[Core Condition: 74% stable, 26% unstable]

[Mana Pathways: 81% functional]

[Physical Condition:]

- Internal Heat Buildup

- Fragile Vessel

- ...

[Affliction Detected:]

[Amnesia: Partial Memory Loss]

[Details: Fragmented memories, identity confusion]

[Origin: ???]

[Estimated Survival Without Treatment: 4-5 years]

Mental State: Cheerful, Uneasy, Doubtful

Abilities: Blazing Sun Constitution (SS-Rank — Sealed)

Affinities: Fire (Grade 8 - SS Rank), Light (Grade 7 - S Rank)

Hidden Talent / Traits: Radiant Soul

Potential: 8th Circle (Estimated)

Investment Value: SUPREME

════════════════

’...Her core and pathways are damaged too.’ Soren frowned as he read through the lines. The same went for her body. However, it was understandable, since she had endured the constant strain on her constitution for months before the artifact was provided. The good thing was he had already heard about it and prepared a solution.

’However, I have to practice first.’

Although he had the plan and the recipe, he hadn’t tried it yet, as he didn’t have the necessary ingredients. And...

’...I only have three chances.’

The ingredients were rare and difficult to obtain, which was why he had asked Lord Asad for help. Even with the city’s resources, gathering this much was already a miracle. That’s why he couldn’t afford to waste a single attempt. Worse still, he didn’t have a fire affinity, which would make the preparation even harder.

’I’ll think about it later,’ he decided, pushing the concern aside for now. There was no point worrying about it until he had a proper workspace and time to practice.

’Hmm...’ His gaze shifted to the affliction section. ’...As expected.’

Their earlier guess was correct. Someone had indeed messed with her memories. Unfortunately, the origin was unknown this time too.

’...At least she has more time to live.’