By Friday morning, there was no such thing as blending in. Ethan's name was still trending on campus socials. People whispered and pointed in the hallways, and more than one guy asked, half-joking, "How much did you pay her?" He barely answered.
But he noticed something new. Where before there was only pity or laughter, now there was curiosity—and a strange hint of respect. Nobody tripped him. Nobody tried to block his way.
He sat at his usual table. Claire and Logan were already there, looking exhausted.
"Any regrets?" Claire asked softly.
Ethan smirked. "You mean besides every second since Tuesday?"
Logan grinned. "At least you're famous now. Got any tips for getting a girlfriend?"
Ethan rolled his eyes, but before he could answer, a senior from the student council—Lena Pierce, always sharp—walked right up to their table.
She looked Ethan up and down. "Congratulations, Cole. Didn't know you had it in you."
He tried to play it off. "Yeah, well, surprises happen."
A few other students gathered, watching for drama. Lena leaned in, her tone playful but with an edge. "So, Ice Queen's fiancé… what's your secret? Some ancient charm? A love potion?"
Ethan felt the pressure, but Quick Wit flickered to life. The eyes, the whispers—they used to crush him. Now, they just brushed off his shoulders. Iron Will held.
"Would you believe… dumb luck and poor impulse control?" he said, managing a wry grin.
Laughter broke out around the table, and even Lena cracked a smile before moving on. The tension eased. For the first time, Ethan didn't feel like prey.
For the rest of the day, Ethan felt a subtle shift in the air. Teachers glanced at him, some with confusion, others with grudging approval. A few underclassmen stared at him like he was some kind of legend in the making. Even the usual bullies looked uncertain, unsure whether to pick a fight or keep their distance.
Between classes, he caught Isabella passing through the hall, surrounded by a hush. She didn't look at him, but a few heads turned their way, watching for any interaction.
By lunch, Ethan realized that, for the first time since arriving at this university, he wasn't invisible. It was exhilarating—and terrifying.
[Milestone Event: Endured Public Scrutiny with Quick Wit!]
[Skill Draw Available. Choose one:]
[Skill 1] Stress Resistance (Common)
You're less affected by nervousness, pressure, or anxiety in tense situations.
[Skill 2] Social Camouflage (Uncommon)
You blend into groups more easily and avoid unwanted attention, even in the spotlight.
[Skill 3] Empathic Insight (Rare)
You gain flashes of understanding about others' true emotions or motives during key interactions.
Ethan considered. Stress Resistance was safe, but he was finally feeling stronger. Social Camouflage would've been perfect before… but now, maybe he was done hiding.
He picked [Skill 3] Empathic Insight (Rare), feeling a sudden, subtle awareness open up inside him—as if he could see the real feelings behind the smiles and jokes.
[Skill Acquired: Empathic Insight (Rare) — You gain flashes of understanding about others' true emotions or motives during key interactions.]
By the end of the day, he noticed Claire's concern lingered, even when she laughed. Logan masked his anxiety with bravado. Even Lena, always so composed, watched him with a mix of challenge and envy.
He caught the edge in Lena's joke earlier—curiosity masking calculation. Social Awareness synced with something deeper now. For the first time, Ethan wasn't just surviving—he was starting to understand the rules of the game.