System Awakening
Ethan couldn't remember how he made it out of the crowd. One moment he was on his knees, Isabella's acceptance ringing in his ears. The next, they were in a quiet corner of the library, away from prying eyes and phone cameras.
She let go of his sleeve. Her expression was unreadable, but for the first time he saw something besides indifference—maybe annoyance, or even calculation.
"Relax," Isabella said quietly, glancing back to be sure no one had followed. "I didn't do this for romance. I just needed a way out of something else. Congratulations, fiancé."
Ethan tried to process her words. The events kept replaying in his mind on an endless loop. He barely noticed his phone buzzing—messages, missed calls, memes already spreading like wildfire.
He opened his mouth. "Wait—are you serious? You're not just messing with me?"
Her eyes narrowed a fraction. "I never joke in public. And you just did me a favor. Let's keep it that way."
Before Ethan could respond, a piercing headache suddenly split his skull. He gripped the edge of a table, trying to breathe.
The world shimmered.
Suddenly, a strange blue screen flickered into existence, floating in front of his vision—clear as a phone notification, yet no one else seemed to see it.
[Milestone Event: Fiancée Registered — Isabella Wynn (SSS-Rank Heroine)!]
For a split second, Ethan's brain just… froze.
He'd honestly thought getting isekai'd was just the universe's way of screwing him over one more time. No golden finger, no cheat code, just the same old nobody—dumped in a new world to survive on his own.
But then the message burned itself across his vision:
SSS-Rank Heroine. Fiancée Registered. System Activated.
Wait, SSS-Rank Heroine…? Was the system serious?
Was it suggesting he had a chance with the campus Ice Queen, or was it just ranking how impossible she was?
He tried not to laugh.
If this system expected him to romance a girl like Isabella Wynn, it was way more ambitious than he was. Or… did it know something he didn't?
He almost burst out laughing. Was this a prank? Was he finally losing it? Or had every cliché he'd ever read decided to show up, just a little late?
His heart thudded—equal parts panic and wild hope.
If this was a cheat… he'd take it.
Ethan shook his head, the ridiculousness of it all making him almost forget where he was—until the stares and whispers around the quad pulled him back to reality.
He took a shaky breath, trying to steady himself.
But suddenly, the weight of their judgment didn't seem as heavy as before.
Maybe—just maybe—his new life was about to get interesting.
[Skill Draw Available. Choose one:]
Three golden cards appeared in Ethan's mind's eye, each shining with a different energy:
[Skill 1] Iron Will (Legend)
Your mind becomes unshakeable. Resist intimidation, manipulation, and panic. Stand tall, even as the world tries to break you.
[Skill 2] Aura of the Star (Legend)
You naturally draw attention and respect in any social setting. Charisma and presence are massively amplified.
[Skill 3] Adaptive Combat Genius (Legend)
You instantly learn and refine any fighting skill you see, rising to near-prodigy levels of self-defense.
Ethan stared, heart pounding. He reached out—if only in his mind—and chose:
Iron Will.
The card flashed, sinking into his chest like a warm ember. Instantly, the weight on his mind lifted. He felt a new clarity—a steadiness that hadn't been there a second before. The background noise of shame and anxiety faded.
[Skill Acquired: Iron Will (Legend)]
You stand tall, even as the world tries to break you.
Ethan blinked, swaying on his feet. Isabella noticed but pretended not to. She glanced away, arms folded.
"Get it together," she muttered. "This isn't a fairy tale. You're not actually my type."
He nodded, but this time, when he looked her in the eye, he didn't look away.
Outside, his phone vibrated again—more messages, more rumors. Ethan let it ring.
For the first time since waking up in this world, he didn't feel like running.