Investing in My Crippled Wife: Every Return Makes Me Stronger

”Starfall Lake...” Ethea repeated the name as memories rushed back. Although it was best to visit it at night, she knew how crowded and noisy it could get. She realized why they were going now and couldn’t help but smile at his consideration. ’Day view isn’t that bad either.’

They spent the next half hour on the road, passing through the busy streets of Adamery before merging onto a highway that led toward the eastern edge of the city. The buildings grew taller and more spaced out, then gradually gave way to open sky and greenery.

Eventually, they reached the entrance to Starfall Lake Park, a famous magical park with a massive holographic sign that read ”Welcome to Starfall Lake - Where Stars Meet Water.”

Soren pulled into the parking structure and found a spot on the second level. After helping Ethea into a wheelchair, they made their way toward the lakeside promenade.

”...Whoa.”

Soren exclaimed as the view opened up before them.

Starfall Lake stretched across the horizon, its surface shimmering with countless tiny crystals that glittered beneath the water like fallen stars. A wide boardwalk framed the lake, lined with magic lamps, cafes with outdoor seating, and docks where boats of various sizes bobbed gently on the water.

Starwing birds circled overhead, their silver-tipped wings catching the sunlight, while lunar turtles surfaced near the docks, their crystal-covered shells gleaming as tourists leaned over the railings to take photos.

”Amazing, right?” Ethea asked, taking in the scenery herself.

”Indeed,” Soren nodded. ”I can’t seem to take my eyes off it.”

”I get what you mean.” Ethea smiled. ”The night view is even better. The crystals glow brighter after dark, and the stars reflect perfectly on the water. It really does look like the sky has fallen into the lake.”

”Then let’s come back at night next time,” Soren suggested.

”I’d love that.”

”Then it’s settled.”

With that, they soon arrived at the dock and rented a nice enchanted boat. It was small but more than enough for the two of them. It had cushioned seats, a retractable canopy for shade, and a self-sailing enchantment that allowed it to glide across the water without needing to be rowed. It even had a small table in the center for snacks and drinks.

Soren helped Ethea into the boat first, making sure she was settled comfortably before getting in himself.

”Captain, we are ready to sail!” He announced playfully.

”Oh?” Ethea raised a brow, amusement flickering in her eyes. ”Then, first mate, prepare to set sail.”

”Aye, Captain!” Soren grinned and tapped the control panel. The enchantment kicked in, and the boat glided smoothly away from the dock and out onto the simmering water.

”Where to, Captain?”

”Hm...” Ethea surveyed the lake with mock seriousness. ”To the center, first mate.”

”As you command.”

”...”

”PFFT!”

They both laughed out loud at the same time.

”Haha...”

The laughter faded a bit later.

Soren then moved from his seat to sit beside Ethea. He wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close, and she leaned into him without hesitation. They enjoyed the boat’s gentle sway and the water lapping against its sides, neither feeling the need to fill the silence with words.

It was only after a while that Ethea broke the silence. ”Do you know the legend behind this lake?”

”No?”

”...They say an actual star fell here. Long before the city was built, probably during the apocalypse, a meteorite crashed into this spot. It was said to have been a fragment of a dying star, carrying a piece of its light with it. When it hit the ground, it shattered into countless tiny fragments, and the impact formed the lake. The crystals in the water are the remnants of that star, still glowing even after all these years.”

”Hence the Starfall name, huh,” Soren smiled. ”Do you think it’s actually true, though?”

”... Since I’ve not seen it with my own eyes, I can’t be sure,” Ethea replied. ”But the crystals in the water are real enough. They’ve been here longer than anyone can remember, and no one has ever been able to explain where they came from. Some say they’re a natural mineral unique to this region, but the legend is more popular.”

”Yeah, people tend to believe stories over real facts,” Soren chuckled. ”It’s more fun that way for them.”

”Right,” Ethea agreed. ”At least we know it is safe, or else this place wouldn’t have been a tourist destination but a restricted zone.”

”...Let me check something,” Soren muttered and used his ability while staring at the lake. ’Oh! It worked.’

════════════════

Name: Starfall Lake

Classification: Natural Formation

Origin: Meteorite Impact

Description: A meteor crash formed a lake, shattering the fragment into the crater floor. As the pieces dissolved, their minerals infused the water, giving it a faint luminescence and creating a unique ecosystem.

Atmospheric Mana: Rich / Stable

Effects:

- Minor Healing: Prolonged exposure to the water accelerates natural recovery by a small margin.

- Mana Clarity: The ambient mana around the lake is unusually pure, making it an ideal spot for meditation and mana recovery.

....

════════════════

’Huh? You can use appraisal like that too?’ Ethea asked, watching him.

’Yeah, I can use it on places too, but not always,’ Soren explained. ’And... it seems like the legend is actually true. A meteor impact did, in fact, create this lake. And...’ He shared the effects with her before using it on a crystal.

════════════════

Name: Meteorine

Type: Unique Mineral

Origin: Meteorite Fragment

Description: A crystalline mineral formed from a shattered meteor.

Properties:

- Mana Conduction: Excellent conductor of mana, valuable for crafting and enchantment.

- Luminescence: Glows faintly at all times, brighter in darkness or high-mana environments.

- Energy Storage: Can store a small amount of refined mana. When shattered, the stored energy releases in a single burst.

....

════════════════

He quickly scanned it and shared it with Ethea.

’...Dear. I think we should experiment with that ability of yours a lot more.’ Ethea suggested after a moment of silence. ’We might discover a lot of things that way.’

’Don’t worry, since it doesn’t have any cooldowns or consume energy, I am always using it,’ Soren said casually. ’On people, items, food, anything that I can get a read on. It’s almost become a second nature at this point.’

’I see...’ Ethea whispered. ’Now it makes sense...’

Why he was so aware of his surroundings, why he noticed small details others missed, why he seemed to know things without being told. And...

’He’s become like this because of me...’

While it was good to be cautious and observant, she couldn’t help but worry about the toll it might take. Because he would never be able to fully relax.