SleepyStaticVoid

Ethan Cole thought dying was the end—until he wakes up in the body of a bullied college nobody in a city where social status means everything. All he wants is to keep his head down and live his second life quietly.

But after he’s forced into a public proposal to the campus “Ice Queen”—and she actually says yes—Ethan’s new world flips upside down.

That’s when the Life Upgrade System awakens. Every achievement, challenge, or relationship milestone lets him draw a new skill—from everyday talents to rare, game-changing abilities. The higher the stakes, the better his chances—but every draw is a gamble.

As Ethan’s reputation skyrockets, he’ll have to navigate jealous rivals, campus scandals, and the growing attention of some of the school’s most extraordinary girls. All while trying to finally live life on his own terms, one draw at a time.

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Hey everyone! Quick heads-up—I’m going to rewrite the story from Chapter 1 and add full isekai and system elements.

First 5 chapters will be updated soon. Thanks for reading and I hope you’ll stick around for the new version!

—SleepyStaticVoid

I Became the Ice Queen’s Fiancé—And Everyone Else Is Jealous

Aurora City University. Monday morning.

The worst thing about dying was realizing nothing really changed.

Ethan Cole blinked up at a gray dorm ceiling, already half-dreading the day. He'd gotten used to this world's sights and sounds—modern buildings, chatter in a dozen languages, the constant thrum of college life—but some mornings, his mind still slipped back to his first life. To the hospital beeps, the regrets, the last silent wish for a do-over.

If only his new life were anything but average.

No magic, no cheat skills, no sudden wealth. Just an ordinary second year at Aurora City University, where the rich got richer, the talented got celebrated, and the rest… faded into the background, which was exactly where Ethan intended to stay.

After all, getting noticed here only made things worse.

He showered, dressed in yesterday's hoodie, and slipped outside. The hallway was already loud with footsteps and laughter. Someone bumped his shoulder on the stairs, no apology given. It was routine by now.

In the cafeteria, he found Claire Monroe waiting at their usual corner table. Claire had a habit of saving seats with her backpack and smiling like it actually made a difference. Today, her smile faltered as she spotted the bruises peeking out from Ethan's sleeve.

"Rough weekend?" she asked softly.

Ethan just shrugged. "Could've been worse."

A voice piped up behind him. "That's our motto, right? 'Could've been worse.' Man, we should put it on a shirt."

Logan dropped his tray on the table, nearly spilling his juice. His attempt at a joke made Claire laugh, and Ethan managed a half-smile. They made a good trio: one optimist, one realist, one clown. Three invisible marks for bullies looking for a target.

And, as if summoned, Derek Mason and his crew slid by. Derek "accidentally" knocked Ethan's tray to the floor.

"Oops," Derek drawled. "Careful, Cole. Watch your step."

Tyler snickered. Mark just looked away.

Claire started to get up, but Ethan shook his head. "Don't. It's not worth it."

He crouched to pick up his food. That was how you survived here: head down, take the hit, move on. Logan tried to lighten the mood with a terrible pun about "falling for breakfast," but Ethan barely heard it.

Just one peaceful year, he thought. Graduate, keep my head down, and live quietly. That's all I want.

The rest of the morning blurred—lectures, awkward group work, sidelong glances. Every now and then, a hush would ripple through the hallways. Whispers. Something about "the Ice Queen."

He glimpsed her only once—Isabella Wynn, walking alone past the library. Platinum-blonde, perfect posture, her gaze as cold and distant as the winter sky. Other students parted for her, the way water splits around a stone. Someone tried to call her name; she didn't even turn.

Ethan looked away before she could see him staring. He knew the rules. She was campus royalty, untouchable. Guys who confessed got turned into memes for a week. Girls who talked back were frozen out of friend groups. Ethan wasn't stupid enough to get involved.

But fate, he suspected, had a cruel sense of humor.

As the last bell rang, Ethan walked home with Claire and Logan, the three of them trailing behind the crowds.

"Maybe next semester'll be better," Logan said.

Ethan didn't answer. He was already bracing himself for the week ahead.

Life on the Bottom