Investing in My Crippled Wife: Every Return Makes Me Stronger

Chapter 143: Bonding [3]

The ice elemental tab loaded with a soft chime; the blue interface shifted, reflecting the cold brilliance of the specimens listed within the Bureau’s subterranean frost vaults.

Unlike the wind and water categories, which populated a long list of viable matches, the system narrowed this specific element down to exactly five highly curated recommendations.

Soren scrolled slowly, his eyes passing over the initial entries.

The first two profiles were firmly categorized under the lower tiers. A Permafrost Carapace Crab sat at the bottom, a heavy-set C-Rank entity possessing an Elite Tier bloodline. The detailed breakdown highlighted its exceptional defensive utility, noting its ability to manifest reinforced elemental shields that could easily withstand sustained physical impact.

Just above it sat the Rime-Bound Raptor, a C-Rank avian anomaly possessing a Rare Tier bloodline. This creature specialized in high-altitude aerial scouting, utilizing sharp bursts of frozen wind shear to passively slow down incoming hostile targets on the battlefield.

Moving higher up the screen, the metrics shifted into the professional standard tier, presenting two formidable high-grade options.

The third selection was a Winter-Spire Ursine Cub, a heavy-set B-Rank beast carrying an Elite Tier bloodline. It offered an incredibly reliable, predictable growth template favored by military vanguard units due to its immense physical power and natural resistance to blunt trauma.

Directly alongside it, the system recommended a Glacial Frost-Fang Lynx. The sleek predator was classified as a B-Rank threat with a highly sought-after Rare Tier bloodline, boasting an impressive 88% resonance compatibility rating. The file praised its lethal agility and its unique ability to weave intricate ice mirrors for frost-shrouded stealth maneuvers.

Finally, Soren’s eyes drifted to the very top of the category, locking onto the absolute pinnacle of the Bureau’s frost vault collection.

Even compared to the high-grade water anomalies he had reviewed moments before, this single profile stood out like a sovereign entity. It was an exceptionally rare, ancient creature whose lineage held absolute mastery over pure ice energy.

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[Aurora Kitsune]

Current Rank: B-Rank

Bloodline Tier: Ancient Tier* (High S-Rank Potential Ceiling)

Resonance Compatibility: 93%

Passive Core Strain: Staggering

Primary Attributes: Absolute Glacial Frost / Illusions

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"!"

Soren stared at the holographic readout, a sharp breath catching in his throat.

The name Aurora Kitsune was highly familiar to him. In the history of magical beasts, this species was known as a direct descendant of the world’s only primordial nine-tailed fox. Even though it was just a B-Rank beast right now, its Ancient Tier bloodline meant everything. With the right resources, it had the potential to grow from its current five-tailed form and eventually evolve into a legendary, seven-tailed powerhouse at S-Rank.

Out of every single beast on the tablet, this was the absolute best choice.

The 93% compatibility index alone proved it was a perfect match for him.

"So, how is it looking?" President Marron asked, breaking the silence as he walked over. "Did you pick one out yet?"

"Ah, yes." Soren turned the tablet around, pointing right at the top entry of the ice category. "Can I bond with this one?"

President Marron leaned over to look at the screen, and his casual grin vanished. He then exchanged a knowing look with Elenaria.

"The Aurora Kitsune," He murmured, lifting a hand to rub at his chin as he studied the data sheet. He let out a short sigh before looking up to meet Soren’s gaze. "Well, it is definitely a valid option since your compatibility is sitting at such a crazy number. But..."

"But a magic beast with an Ancient Tier bloodline can’t just be handed over," Elenaria intervened smoothly, her tone completely professional as she stepped closer. "There are strict requirements you have to meet, and some heavy payments to settle with the Bureau before we can even talk about bonding."

The president crossed his arms, nodding in agreement as he looked closely at Soren. "She is right. Are you absolutely sure this is the one you want?"

Soren fell silent for a brief moment, his gaze dropping back down to the glowing interface.

"...Right, I didn’t consider that," he murmured.

The weight of their words settled in, and the more he thought about it, the more it made a lot of sense. A whole lot of sense, actually. He was just a rookie hunter who had only recently broken through to the 3rd Circle. In the grand scheme of things, he was still standing at the very starting line. Asking for a ’gift’ like an Ancient Tier bloodline beast on his first day inside the Bureau’s premium hatchery was simply pushing his luck too far.

However, just giving up and picking a safer, lower-grade option wasn’t an option either.

Opportunity rarely knocked twice in a world this dangerous. Besides, they hadn’t actually rejected him. Didn’t they just say it themselves? As long as he met those strict requirements and cleared the necessary payments, he should be able to secure the bond, right?

Taking a steadying breath, Soren looked up, meeting the collective gaze of the President and the Director.

"What should I do," he asked, "in order to be able to bond with it?"

President Marron’s serious expression cracked, and a broad, proud grin slowly broke through his neat white beard. He let out a low, amused chuckle. "Heh, I knew I wasn’t wrong about you."

Soren blinked, slightly confused by the older man’s cryptic response. Still, he kept his expression perfectly calm and inquiring, waiting for a proper explanation.

Seeing the young hunter’s focused look, President Marron laughed heartily and waved his hand dismissively. "Don’t worry, young man. Since I brought you down to this facility myself, I already planned ahead for a scenario exactly like this. I even have the perfect solution ready. Do you wanna hear it?"

Soren offered a firm, attentive nod.

"Good," Marron said, leaning back slightly. "First, about the financial payment, you don’t have to stress over it. We can simply deduct the cost from our ongoing deal in small, manageable amounts over the next few years. And that leaves the official requirements. To clear a restricted transfer like this, you first need to get the direct, personal agreement of the Bureau Head."

"Uh-huh..." Soren nodded smoothly, his mind already calculating the long-term deductions.

Then, his thoughts ground to a sudden halt.

"Wait..." He blinked, staring blankly at the President as the silence stretched between them. He had been so focused on the logistics that the obvious title completely bypassed his initial focus.

Marron’s grin widened, and he pointed a thumb at his own chest.

"That’s right, it’s me!"

"And I..."