Investing in My Crippled Wife: Every Return Makes Me Stronger

’Hmm? What is this?’ Ervin raised a brow as he noticed something peculiar.

The injuries he sustained during the intense battle earlier, which would usually take weeks to heal even with a skilled healer’s help, had healed completely in just a few minutes.

Even more astonishing was the sensation settling deep within his bones: several hidden ailments and lingering scars from past campaigns had vanished entirely. His breath came easy and clean, his muscles felt fluid, and a vibrant surge of energy coursed through his limbs, making him feel as though he had returned to the peak of his physical prime. Even his mana pathways, which had been slightly worn from decades of use, felt smoother than they had in years.

He flexed his gloved fist, genuinely stunned by the sudden vitality restoring his body.

’What in the world...’ He blinked, then remembered the potion Soren had handed him a while ago. He had known the moment he uncorked the vial that its potency was impressive, but now it was clear he had drastically underestimated it.

’Could it be... an elixir?’

The thought struck him with sudden clarity. Potions of the sixth grade and below were considered standard concoctions, but those reaching and surpassing the seventh grade were elevated to the status of elixirs. And healing-type elixirs possessed miraculous effects capable of easily reversing organ failure, bringing one back from the dead, and purging deeply entrenched impurities and even high-grade toxins.

’Come to think of it, he had given the same thing to that elf girl back then too.’ Ervin recalled the scene from the cooking competition. The elf was approaching the brink of death with low life force, and in a few minutes, she had completely recovered as if the fatal damage had never occurred. ’Yeah, there’s no need to doubt it now. It was really an elixir.’

And that was precisely why the gesture carried so much weight.

Elixirs were extraordinarily rare treasures. They were usually sold only at high-tier auctions or kept hidden in the vaults of high-ranking noble families or Awakened. Securing even a single bottle required immense wealth and connections, making them nearly impossible to acquire through standard channels.

Yet Soren had handed one over without a single moment of hesitation.

’To possess such treasures and give them away so freely...’ Ervin thought, glancing back toward the building. Soren probably held a high status, but even more notable was his generosity toward those standing on his side.

’...’ A firm resolve settled in Ervin’s chest. Someone who treated his allies with such benevolence deserved proper respect and protection in return. He made a mental note to express his gratitude properly once the situation settled.

Refocusing, Ervin expanded his sensory range across the surrounding area, fully committed to guarding them with all his power until the threat vanished completely.

───────

Soren held Ethea close, gazing affectionately at her face while gently caressing her hair. He leaned down, pressing a warm kiss to her head and then to her forehead. Ethea shifted closer into his embrace, snuggling against his chest with deep affection, content to stay wrapped in his arms.

Just then, a familiar ding rang in Soren’s mind, prompting him to close his eyes and watch messages appear in his vision.

════════════════

[Investment detected.]

[Target: Commander Ervin]

[Analyzing Investment...]

[Investment: You provided the target with a high-grade elixir that healed his injuries, restored his body to peak condition, and purged old wounds and ailments he had carried for years.]

[Analyzing target response...]

[As a result of your actions, the target has fully recovered and is now in the best physical condition he has been in for decades. His gratitude toward you has deepened significantly, and he has committed himself to guarding you and your wife with everything he has.]

[Evaluating investment significance...]

[Evaluation complete.]

[Investment Grade: High]

[Calculating returns...]

[Calculation complete.]

[Applying Authority Modifier: Amplification (Passive) — Baseline bonus applied. Reward tier scaling upgraded.]

[Returns granted:]

[1. Sovereign Vitality Elixir x2]

[2. Recipe Unlocked: Scar Recovery Salve]

[3. Basic Military Knowledge]

[Integration initiated...]

[...]

[...]

[Integration Complete!]

════════════════

’...’ Soren smiled and opened his eyes. The returns were great for a high-grade investment. He used only a single Sovereign Vitality Elixir, so he didn’t expect a high-grade return like this. But then again, given how it affected the target, that made sense too. It was a powerful elixir, after all; hadn’t he already recovered himself?

He hadn’t thought much of it earlier since it didn’t affect Ethea that much, but he hadn’t accounted for her curse interfering with the elixir’s effect and weakening it significantly.

’I think I should be more mindful about when I use them,’ he thought. ’Though since I got two in return, it ended up being more than worth it.’

It would serve as a nice investment material for a long time, and the new recipe might come in handy someday too.

’Though they’ll have to have scars to need the salve in the first place.’

With an internal chuckle, he moved on to the last return.

’Basic Military Knowledge, huh.’

He had picked up bits and pieces over the years, from books, from conversations, from watching movies and such. He knew some famous tactics and basics, like pincer maneuvers, hit-and-run ambushes, and supply-line harassment. But this return elevated his understanding to a completely different level, giving him a grounded foundation in actual warfare.

It taught him all the core fundamentals, such as military ranks and chain of command, basic squad formations, battlefield logistics, terrain utilization, signaling, defensive fortifying, rapid troop positioning, and various other tactical drills.

’It really fills in all the gaps.’

And looking back at his previous investments, he realized a pattern in how these types of returns worked. The knowledge he gained often tied directly to the target’s identity, profession, and unique specialization. Investing in an Imperial Knight Commander like Ervin gave him military knowledge, just as investing in a caretaker like Aunt Clara gave him caretaking knowledge.

’If the type of knowledge depends on who I invest in, then I should broaden my scope,’ Soren decided. Whenever the opportunity presented itself, he would invest in people from every path and discipline, building a comprehensive web of skills and insights for himself. ’Especially curse specialists...’