Investing in My Crippled Wife: Every Return Makes Me Stronger

”EX grade?”

”Yeah, have you heard about it?” Soren asked.

”EX grade...” Ethea trailed off for a few seconds, her expression thoughtful. ”I think it’s a label for things above Grade 9. And some also treat it as the highest possible rank, reserved for things that break the conventional scale entirely. And it’s mostly used when mentioning other worlds.”

”You mean... Etenia doesn’t have anything like that?”

”Not that I know of.” She shook her head. ”Everything in our world falls within the normal grading system. EX is for things that come from beyond, or for people and things who have transcended the limits of this world entirely.”

”In that case, your ice affinity is at a transcendent level?” Soren stroked his chin thoughtfully. ”And... is Transcendence what comes after Paragon rank?”

”...You know about Transcendence?” Ethea looked at him in surprise.

”Mm. I have seen someone with Transcendence potential.” Soren replied. ”And it’s someone you know well.”

”...Ryan?” Ethea guessed after a moment’s thought.

Soren nodded. ”That’s right. Although I didn’t know exactly what Transcendence is, I figured out it must be higher than Paragon after our conversation about Authorities back then.”

”I see...” Ethea fell silent again, her expression unreadable. ”...Was that why you were acting so close with him?”

”...That’s one of the reasons, but not exactly the true one,” Soren answered. ”Unfortunately, I can’t tell you about it yet. But I will talk with Ryan, and if he’s willing to share. If he agrees, I’ll tell you everything.”

”Alright, thank you, dear.” Ethea smiled, leaning on his shoulder.

Soren stroked her hair, letting the silence settle for a second before bringing up the other detail that had caught his attention. ”Speaking of affinities, I was able to see your affinity, which was darkness. I was a bit surprised since you didn’t mention it before.”

Ethea froze, tilting her head as confusion washed over her face. ”I have a darkness affinity?”

Soren nodded, watching her reaction closely. ”You didn’t know?”

Ethea shook her head. ”This is the first time I’m hearing about it. And I haven’t sensed it before, nor did it appear in the tests.”

”Then, could your darkness affinity be sealed like mine?” Soren guessed. ”...I can’t think of any other reason.”

”That might be the case...” Ethea trailed off, and her eyes lit up as she realized something. ”Wait... could it be connected to the Fated One trait?”

”You said you don’t know Fated One, though?”

”It’s true that I don’t know about it, but I don’t have any other guesses.” She paused, then looked at him. ”What if... Fated One means I’m fated for... you? And you’re fated for me?”

Soren blinked, caught off guard by the suggestion. ”That’s... a nice thought.”

”It is, isn’t it?” Ethea smiled.

Soren returned the smile, then shook his head. ”But I feel like it probably means more than that. Like you’re destined for something great. Just like in many stories. The chosen one. The protagonist.”

”Me? The protagonist?” Ethea raised a brow.

”Mm. And if you’re the protagonist, then...” He paused dramatically. ”Am I the male lead?”

”...”

They stared at each other for a beat and burst out laughing.

”Actually,” Ethea said once the laughter faded, ”I think you’re more of a protagonist than I am, dear.”

”Oh, really? And what makes you say that?” Soren chuckled, looking down at her.

”Well, you’re kind, remarkably strong, and you never hesitate to help others,” Ethea said, her voice soft as her eyes met his. ”Plus, you always manage to save me whenever I’m in danger. If that isn’t the hero of a story, I don’t know who is.”

A faint heat touched Soren’s cheeks, and he rubbed the back of his neck, caught off guard by her earnestness. ”When you put it like that... it sounds a bit much.”

He then cleared his throat, a light laugh breaking through his embarrassment, and pulled her back into a comfortable embrace. ”I have a better way of looking at it. Instead of arguing over who gets the spotlight, let’s just say we’re both the main characters? A story doesn’t have to belong to just one person, you know. Life isn’t a single grand script written for a lone hero while everyone else fills the background. We’re all carrying our own weight, fighting our own battles, and living out our own main roles. In the end, everyone is the protagonist of their own life — it just depends on whose eyes you’re looking through.”

”...”

”W-What?”

”...”

”Why are you looking at me like that?” Soren asked, suddenly self-conscious.

”I...” Ethea kept her eyes fixed on him, a subtle spark of amusement dancing in her eyes. ”...I was just thinking about how lucky I am to have such a wise husband.”

Soren’s lips twitched, caught between a faint scowl and a hidden grin. He knew full well she was teasing him, taking advantage of his sudden burst of eloquence to ruffle his composure. Yet despite the light mockery, the affection in her voice made his heart warm all the same.

”You’re enjoying this way too much.”

”Was I not allowed to?” Ethea blinked innocently.

”Urgh... fine. Laugh all you want.” He sighed dramatically, but his arms tightened around her. ”Just remember, I’m the one who gets to tease you back later.”

”Hehe, ok~” Ethea giggled. ”But I really meant it. And in fact, I have a similar opinion to yours.”

”You do?” Soren raised a brow.

”Mm... But I also think that some people are more than just protagonists in their own stories. Some people affect so many others that they become part of everyone’s story. And you’re one of those people, Soren. Whether you realize it or not.”

”Well, the same can be said to you, Ethea,” Soren replied. ”In fact, you might be the reason my story even started and became worth telling.”

”...” Ethea paused and looked up at him. ”...Kiss me.”

”...Ok.” Soren did not need to be told twice. He cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing over her skin as he leaned down and pressed his lips against hers, taking his time before resting his forehead against hers. ”...You’re so irresistible.”