’First is the Resonant Bond...’

Soren quickly reviewed the related info in his mind.

’Resonant Bond is a shared ability between Ethea and me. When we are near each other, we both become stronger, faster, and more resilient. Furthermore, her chronic pain will lessen significantly. My mana absorption and recovery will improve as well...’

He tightened his grip on the mattress.

This was surprisingly useful. It meant that by simply staying near her, he was twice as powerful as he would be alone, and she gained a level of physical relief that no medicine had been able to provide. It was a lifeline that rewarded them for staying together.

But that wasn’t all.

There was also a hidden, passive effect called Resonant Synchronicity.

’It activates when our emotions, feelings, or intent align. If we are both focused on the same goal or feeling the same conviction, it triggers a state of Synchronicity.’

’Hmm...’

’So, the more we trust each other, the stronger we become?’

It was a literal power-up for their relationship.

He also felt like his authority was pushing them to become a real couple. But if they could truly learn to rely on each other, there would be no limit to how far they could go.

’...Let’s think about it later.’

Regardless of the system’s intent, he needed every scrap of power he could get his hands on.

’Next is the Guardian’s Resolve...’

’It’s also a passive ability...’

Soren focused on the sensation of the skill integrating into his nervous system.

’As long as I am taking a defensive stance to shield Ethea, my physical defense and mental fortitude double. And it even has a counter effect. Any hostile strike against Ethea while this is active will trigger a pulse that slows the attacker down. Although it costs me a nice chunk of mana, it’s definitely an amazing effect.’

He clenched his fist, feeling a newfound density in his muscles.

’This essentially turns me into a human fortress. As long as I am standing in front of her, I am twice as hard to break, and anyone who tries to get through me will find themselves moving through sludge.’

Finally, he turned to the last part of the rewards.

’Investor’s Eyes got upgraded into Investor’s Insight, huh.’

He looked around the darkened room, and the world felt fundamentally different.

’I... I can use it on items now as well.’

’I probably won’t be getting returns from inanimate objects, but being able to read their true value and hidden potential is a game changer.’

With it, he could now see exactly which assets were worth his time or discover hidden treasures that others would simply walk past. Whether it was a rusted blade in a junk pile or a rare herb in the wild, nothing would escape his ’eyes’.

Soren barely suppressed the urge to scan every object in the room right then and there. He forced himself to close the messages, shaking his head. There was a time for testing, but right now, he could test something else.

Taking a deep breath, he emptied his mind and dived into another night of deep cultivation.

A few minutes later, Soren’s eyes snapped open, a look of pure joy on his face.

’It’s really working.’

The difference was night and day. His cultivation speed had effectively doubled, the mana in the room rushing into his core with a hunger he had never felt before.

And there was something else: he sensed a faint, shimmering thread of something ethereal linking him to her.

’This must be the bond itself...’

Seeing the tangible proof of their connection only sharpened his focus. If being near her made him this much stronger, he wouldn’t waste a single second of the night.

With a renewed sense of determination, he closed his eyes and dived back into his cultivation session.

───────

The next day, Soren took Ethea to the municipal registry to update their identification. Thankfully, the bureaucracy was efficient, and they spent less than an hour navigating the paperwork and biometric scans.

Once they were outside, Soren took a deep breath, the weight of the morning finally lifting. He turned and exchanged a glance with Ethea, who met his eyes with a faint smile.

Smiling back, he spoke softly.

"We are one family now, Ethea."

"The Everly family."

"Mm... We are..."

Ethea hummed softly, a look of quiet satisfaction crossing her face.

Soren smiled at her reaction and straightened up.

"Today, we celebrate," he announced. "We are a new family now. That deserves something special."

Ethea glanced up at him, her brow furrowing slightly. "What about your mission? ...Did you not say you had to clear three gates?"

Soren waved his hand casually. "Don’t worry, I’ve already dealt with it."

"How?"

"Remember the first party I worked with?" Soren explained. "I contacted them, and they agreed to lend a helping hand. So the gates are covered. We will start tomorrow."

Ethea blinked, processing this information, then gave a small nod of understanding.

Soren’s smile widened.

"That is why today, I am completely free." He stepped behind her wheelchair and gripped the handles. "Let’s go. I will make sure you never forget this day."

Ethea remained silent, unable to refuse Soren’s enthusiasm. She simply leaned back into the chair, letting him take the lead.

And strangely, she felt different today.

Ever since waking up, something had shifted inside her.

The pain, which had been her constant and suffocating companion, had subsided into a dull, manageable hum. It was a level of physical relief she hadn’t experienced in a long time, allowing her to breathe and move her head with a freedom that felt almost alien.

She didn’t know exactly what had happened or how the change had come about, but she was certain of one thing.

It had everything to do with Soren.

’...’

A wave of genuine gratitude washed over her as they moved down the street. She didn’t have the words to explain the shift in her body, so she just let the quiet comfort of his presence settle the rest of her doubts.

The heavy fog of exhaustion that usually clouded her mind had finally cleared, replaced by a spark of genuine curiosity about the world passing them by.

And so, for the first time in a long time, she wasn’t just surviving the day; she was actually looking forward to it.