Soren opened his eyes as a brilliant light flickered briefly within their depths before gradually fading into the darkness. He then exhaled a breath, watching the moisture instantly mist in the chilled air around him before he glanced down at his hands, which were now radiating a faint, sub-zero aura and humming with a vibrant energy that had not existed just hours prior. A satisfied smile slowly crept across his face as he realized the true extent of his success.
'I... I did it.'
'I've broken through.'
He was now at the Early Stage of the First Circle.
What's more, he achieved it in just one night!
Soren's smile widened at the realization.
Even with his limited knowledge of the Awakened world, he understood the fundamentals well enough to recognize that his current situation was completely absurd. The vast majority of newly awakened individuals typically required several weeks simply to sense the ambient mana properly, followed by months of grueling effort to firmly establish their foundation. Yet, despite those universal constraints, he had somehow managed to cross that legendary threshold during a single meditative session.
'This is... incredible.'
But the smile didn't turn into arrogance.
Soren's expression softened as he recalled why this was possible.
'It wasn't luck. It was the Investment Authority.'
The legacy, the affinity, the regeneration ability. All of it had been granted to him through that Authority. Without it, he'd still be that same powerless failure lying on the floor.
And...
His gaze drifted toward the bed where Ethea lay sleeping.
'It was thanks to her.'
He didn't believe it was a coincidence that he awakened on this specific night. The very night he'd married her. The very night he'd risked his life to protect her.
The Investment Authority probably got awakened because of her. While the returns also came from her, even if indirectly.
Everything he had now... it all traced back to that moment he'd decided to stay by her side.
'So... Thank you, Ethea.'
The thought was quiet and sincere.
He owed her more than she'd ever know.
'Alright, let's get up now.'
As Soren stood up and stretched his stiff body, he noticed the frost covering the floor in a perfect circle around where he'd been sitting. The temperature had also dropped noticeably, probably due to both his cultivation and the broken window.
'I should be more careful. If I cultivate like this every night, she'll freeze. And fix the window as quickly as possible, too.'
His gaze then returned to Ethea.
She was asleep, her breathing steady and even, her expression peaceful for once. Or at least, as peaceful as someone in constant pain could look.
His heart ached at his powerlessness about the situation.
'...'
He stood there before walking away.
'Sleep well.'
Then he slipped out quietly to wash up and prepare breakfast.
Click.
The bedroom door clicked shut, causing Ethea to slowly open her eyes.
Contrary to Soren's assumption, she had been awake for the last hour or perhaps even longer. It had become increasingly difficult to accurately track the passage of time, especially since every passing moment brought immense pain, every single breath required a monumental effort, and existing itself had become completely exhausting.
That's why she had remained fully conscious and aware throughout the entire night.
She had felt the intense cold that seeped through the room during his cultivation, noted the subtle shift when his foundation finally stabilized, and witnessed the moment of his breakthrough. She had perceived all of it, and as the long hours dragged on, one single question had remained firmly in her mind.
'...Why?'
Why did he fight the assassin?
Why did he get wounded protecting her?
Why did he protect her in the first place?
They were strangers forced together by families who wanted them gone.
He owed her nothing.
And yet.
And yet...
Ethea's gaze remained fixed on the closed door.
She couldn't understand.
Just what did he want from her?
...Love?
No, that couldn't be it. Because they had met just yesterday and spoken maybe a dozen words in total, it was impossible for love to work in such a manner. Real affection wasn't something that simply materialized overnight like some kind of convenient magic.
Then...
...Was he... Was he after her body?
Her lips pressed together into a thin line as the harrowing thought alone made her stomach twist in distress. She had heard several dark stories about such cases, involving individuals who deliberately married crippled people like her solely to exert complete control over their entire lives.
But...
She thought back carefully to the events of yesterday, recalling the exact way he had carried her, the sudden stiffness in his posture when she flinched, and the meticulous care with which he had adjusted his grip to be more gentle. Even when she had coldly told him to leave her alone, he had simply complied, choosing to sleep on the hard floor without a single word of complaint.
He... He wasn't like that.
If he really wanted her body, he wouldn't have acted that way. He wouldn't have listened to her at all.
If he wanted to take advantage, he could easily have done so. She was paralyzed, helpless, unable to fight back.
But... he didn't.
He asked, he waited, and he respected.
So then what was it?
Duty?
The marriage contract binding him?
Some sense of obligation because their families forced them together?
'...'
Ethea didn't know.
She couldn't know.
And that uncertainty gnawed at her more than the pain ever could.
Because she'd learned, over six long months, that people always wanted something.
...Always.
Her family wanted her gone.
Her former comrades wanted to forget she existed.
The world wanted her to disappear quietly...
Everyone had a reason, a motive, or an angle.
So what was his?
What could a broken, dying woman possibly offer him?
...Nothing.
Because she had nothing left to offer.
No power, no status, no future.
Just pain and the slow march toward death.
So why?
The question continued to circle endlessly in her mind, and just like before, no right answer came.
'...' Ethea's fingers twitched beneath the blanket.
She wanted to ask him, wanted to demand the truth, yet her voice refused to cooperate. Even if it did, she wasn't sure she wanted to hear the answer.
Because...
Because if he had no reason...
If he was just... kind for the sake of being kind...
Then that would be even worse.
Because kindness without reason was the most fragile thing in the world.
And she couldn't afford to believe in fragile things like that anymore.
'I won't... I... I can't...'
Creak.
The door opened gently, interrupting Ethea's thoughts.
Her eyes shifted toward the sound.
Soren carefully stepped in, carrying a tray filled with food and a steaming cup of tea. He glanced at the bed and paused briefly when their eyes met.
"Oh, you're awake. Good."
"I prepared some food; let's have breakfast together."