The Heroine Stole My Regression-Chapter 76

On the outside, she pretended nothing had happened, standing up and continuing her training.

But inside.

Inside, it was boiling.

It felt like lava was bubbling.

And at the very center of that boiling sensation, strangely, something solid and reassuring was present.

Deep inside her heart.

The yang energy Jeong Haein gave her softly breathed within.

A hot and heavy sensation.

She didn’t know how to handle it properly yet, only feeling it.

But its presence was undeniable.

In fact, that sensation only pushed her further.

‘I lost.’

It wasn’t just a loss.

She was utterly crushed, with an unthinkable gap.

She placed her hand on her forehead and exhaled a long breath.

Even the cool morning air felt warm, as if it were caused by something that was boiling inside her now.

Her fingertips slowly curled.

“...I won’t lose next time.”

The words that slipped from her mouth were low and clear.

The room and the night remain silent.

But her mind is still filled with the scattered petals.

That night.

She had lost countless times...

And countless times, she had stood up again.

***

-Ding.

As she was preparing to leave the room, a notification sound rang from her watch.

She turned on the screen to find a message from the Association.

[Jeong Haein Hero. A reward proposal has been prepared. Please visit the Association at your convenience.]

The message was simply asking to visit the Association whenever she had time since the reward was ready.

“...I wonder what they’ve prepared.”

I muttered softly after reading the message.

I’d accept it as long as it’s something the others and I can use.

Actually, the fact that it was addressed to me meant that the Association had made a significant decision by allowing me access to Bugaram’s workshop.

After all, I had to stop by at least once.

There was also the matter of visiting the Association with Yoon Chaeha regarding the cursed artifact.

This weekend should work... Saturday.

I don’t have much on my schedule, and everything seems fine.

I opened the message input window on my watch and typed briefly.

[I’ll visit around Saturday morning.]

I pressed send and turned off the screen.

“Oh, right.”

Suddenly, I remembered the shares of Glory Corporation that I had invested in.

They seemed to be rising quite quickly lately.

I opened the account balance window for the first time in a while to check.

“...Wow.”

A short gasp escaped my lips.

It had grown much more than expected—no, far beyond what I had imagined.

It was at a level where I almost wanted to throw away the hero title and just cash out.

Of course, that wasn’t my plan.

It might be time to sort things out. Even just withdrawing a portion would be quite a significant amount.

I slowly closed the screen.

It wouldn’t be a bad idea to check out the auctions with the money.

“Okay.”

There’s a lot to do. No need to rush.

I’ll take it step by step.

I stood up from my seat.

Time had passed quickly.

It was time for school.

***

“Ugh... really.”

Gaon ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) Academy places a huge emphasis on physical fitness.

They say a hero's physical strength is equivalent to national power.

Thus, once a month, an unannounced physical fitness test is held, which is a tradition.

It applies to all year groups.

This was a mechanism created in the original story to ensure physical training was never neglected.

I had assumed that this month's fitness test had already passed while I was in the hospital.

So, I was somewhat relieved.

But...

Nope.

Today was exactly that day.

Sweat was pouring down, and my breath hadn’t fully returned yet.

On physical fitness test days, there are no classes.

Not only classes but all schedules at Gaon are canceled for the day.

In other words, today’s scheduled mentor-mentee session was gone.

A live update on the fitness test rankings appeared on the scoreboard.

[Jeong Haein 3rd]

I was ranked 3rd among all first-year students.

It’s not just Gaon that values physical strength.

The old man was thorough in that regard, so I never slacked off in training either.

Plus, I ran every morning with Yu Hana, so I hadn’t lost my edge.

One by one, the students finished their laps and made their way to the stands.

Without a word, they collapsed to the ground or grumbled at Gaon.

Kang Arin and Yu Hana took first and second place, respectively.

For some reason, the two of them had disappeared by now.

They probably went to shower first, considering how much they must’ve sweat.

It seemed they headed straight to the dorm after finishing their runs.

And just then, Siwon, who had just arrived, climbed up to the stands, gasping for air.

I walked over to her and spoke.

“Good job.”

“Yeah... but don’t come too close. I’m sweaty...”

Siwon frowned and then smiled slightly, backing away.

She disappeared in the direction of the dorm.

I looked around again.

But there was one face missing...

“Where did Cheon Yeoul go?”

It was obvious.

She must have quickly slipped away, trying not to be noticed.

It’s annoying. I’ll have to punish her with a flick if I see her...

Just then, I saw someone slowly walking toward me from the opposite side of the track.

A staggered step.

Slumped shoulders.

Her gym clothes soaked in sweat.

It was Yoon Chaeha.

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Her hair stuck to her forehead, and her gym clothes were completely drenched.

Even so, she kept walking until the end.

I was momentarily surprised.

Among the people from Kalos, only Ju Seojun hadn’t retired.

Even Ju Seojun was ranked outside the top 10.

This was inevitable. It made sense.

Mages have weak physical strength, and Kalos is a mage-focused school.

But she didn’t give up.

Slowly but confidently, she completed the course and made her way to the stands.

Her eyes, visible between her hair sticking to her forehead, met mine.

Our gazes locked.

Her breath was still ragged, and her lips were dry, but there was a fierce intensity in her eyes.

I could feel her burning gaze.

It seemed yesterday’s defeat had triggered something in her.

Given her personality, she probably hadn’t slept well.

It was perfect timing.

Now I had a good excuse to take her to the Association this weekend.

“Really, good job.”

I approached her.

Yoon Chaeha nodded slightly, gasping for air.

Then, she leaned against the stands as though collapsing.

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Heat radiated from her body.

Her wet hair clung to her forehead, and sweat that had been trickling down her forehead ran down her cheeks.

I chuckled softly and sat next to her.

“Rest a bit.”

That one phrase was enough for her right now.

She would work even harder going forward.

I didn’t have to do anything; she would dig even deeper on her own.

The fitness test had canceled all classes and team meetings.

Today was effectively a break, and there were no special schedules.

At that moment, as Yoon Chaeha silently cooled off, she suddenly opened her eyes slightly.

“Today... in the evening... could you... mentor me...?”

Before she could finish, she closed her eyes again.

“Hah.”

It seemed like Yoon Chaeha’s spirit had truly been ignited.

***

Late evening. The training ground was quiet.

It was because all the students had entered rest after Gaon’s surprise physical fitness test.

Cheon Yeoul walked across the empty training ground.

At the far end, from a private room, the sound of continuous loud bangs leaked out.

The familiar sensation stirred memories.

A single memory surfaced in her mind.

The same training ground, the same instructor—only the target was different.

“...Sung Siwoo.”

Jeong Haein opened his mouth as he looked at the man.

“At this rate... no one can win.”

His voice was firm, cutting across the training ground.

He was cornered. Desperate.

Because of the Apostle, he had lost Vanquisher, and he keenly felt their strength.

Thus, he had no choice but to relentlessly force Sung Siwoo into training, hoping he was the answer.

But Sung Siwoo scoffed at his warning.

“What’s the problem, exactly?”

He lifted his head and stared at Jeong Haein.

“I’m strong enough.”

In fact, he hadn’t been pushed back in his recent duel with Johan.

Sung Siwoo believed he had grown stronger, and he was intoxicated by that belief.

The only one burning up inside was Jeong Haein.

But Sung Siwoo didn’t know the urgency Jeong Haein felt.

“Thanks for all the advice, but... don’t cross the line.”

He raised his sword, pointing it at Jeong Haein.

“Honestly, I think you’ll win soon enough, too.”

Jeong Haein stared at him with dead eyes.

As always, he would be retracing his own mistakes.

‘Was I too impatient?’

‘Was it forced?’

‘Was my approach wrong?’

And, as always, he would blame himself again.

“...Ungrateful bastard.”

Cheon Yeoul clenched her teeth.

Blood started to seep from her tightly clenched fist.

He always sacrificed himself.

And now, this repeated scene from beyond the training ground disturbed her peace.

If, just for a moment, he showed any behavior similar to that bastard...

If she judged that he wouldn’t be helpful...

She would cut him off without hesitation.

Like that bastard.

Jeong Haein was too kind and compassionate.

This was her responsibility—Cheon Yeoul’s.

She quietly gazed beyond the training ground’s wall.

It was a skill she had acquired again after her confrontation with the Apostle.

And she could see it.

The shattered walls, the deep traces of training on the floor, and the girl kneeling in the middle of the training ground.

Yoon Chaeha.

She was gasping for breath, her hand on the ground.

Jeong Haein raised his watch, checked the time, and then spoke.

You’ve worked hard today. The fitness test must have been tough, so let’s rest for now.

His tone was neither firm nor soft.

As always, it was his way of showing respect for others.

Yoon Chaeha simply collapsed onto the ground.

After a moment of catching her breath, she spoke.

If it’s okay with you... I want to keep going...

Cheon Yeoul’s brow twitched.

Yoon Chaeha’s eyes had been burning crimson for a while now.

She quickly observed Jeong Haein’s reaction.

He slightly lowered his head and adjusted his chin.

‘Ah...’

Cheon Yeoul knew.

That behavior was a habit of his when he was satisfied.

Moreover.

From an angle Yoon Chaeha couldn’t see, he was smiling.

‘He’s happy.’

He was.

Jeong Haein was happy.

“...Hmph.”

Cheon Yeoul exhaled deeply.

Her eyes, which had been glowing with blue light, began to calm.

There was no need to look any further.

“What...”

She recalled Siwon’s words.

‘He’s a little different, don’t you think?’

It was true.

At first, she had been doubtful, and hadn’t believed it until she saw it for herself.

But that scene, just now, was undeniably different.

Even just a fragment of it made it clear.

‘I’ll admit it.’

Yoon Chaeha was different from Sung Siwoo.

Cheon Yeoul quietly lowered her head.

Then, slowly, she turned and walked toward the exit of the training ground.