The Heroine Stole My Regression-Chapter 4

[AM 06:00]

The smartwatch blared its alarm, signaling six in the morning.

Shut up. I’m already up.

This was a morning workout routine that had been ingrained into my body for the past ten years. I had never skipped a single day. If I had, I would have been beaten for it.

The early March morning was still cold. I zipped my hoodie all the way up and started running.

About ten minutes in, the icy dawn air no longer felt as sharp. I felt this every morning, but there was something oddly calming about the silence before the city woke up.

This place really is huge.

The academy grounds were vast enough to be called an academic city.

The facilities alone could function as a self-sustaining town—there was the main building, walking trails, a gymnasium, research facilities, and even a shopping district for students. In theory, one could live here without ever stepping outside the campus.

The path I was running on was a circular track that looped around the academy’s perimeter. The long stretch of road emphasized the sheer size of the place.

As my breathing grew slightly heavier, I heard light footsteps trailing behind me.

—Tap. Tap. Tap.

At first, I ignored them. I wasn’t the only one who worked out in the morning, after all.

—Tap. Tap. Tap.

But then I noticed that the footsteps matched my pace perfectly.

My head turned naturally.

...Yu Hana?

Her blue hair shimmered under the dawn sunlight, swaying in rhythmic motion.

Dressed in a luxury-brand training suit, she ran behind me in complete silence, maintaining a steady distance.

Was this an extension of yesterday’s events?

I preferred to exercise alone. Running was a time for me to organize my thoughts and train my body, so having someone run beside me often felt distracting.

At first, her presence bothered me. But since she wasn’t saying anything and kept a fixed distance, I quickly stopped minding it.

Right. I’m just overthinking things.

She was probably just here for her morning workout.

Yu Hana made no move to interact with me.

It was as if she was being careful not to disrupt my rhythm, maintaining the perfect distance as she ran in silence.

Even her breathing was steady, and her footsteps naturally adjusted to match mine.

I sped up slightly.

She didn’t panic—she simply matched my new pace as if she had been waiting for it.

At some point, it even felt like I had gained an unexpected pacemaker.

We continued running for a while.

—Beep.

The smartwatch chimed, signaling that I had completed 10 km.

Gradually, I slowed down and came to a stop.

With my heart still lightly pounding, I glanced down at my wrist.

Seeing the numbers displayed, my eyebrows instinctively lifted.

A new record.

This was a milestone I usually struggled to beat, but today, I had broken it with ease.

I subconsciously turned my gaze to the side.

Yu Hana was standing beside me, catching her breath lightly as she stared straight ahead.

Her breathing was completely steady. Even the sweat forming on her forehead shimmered neatly under the morning light.

She doesn’t even look tired.

I was about to turn away when she tilted her head slightly, locking eyes with me.

“You’re a good runner.”

“I know, right?”

Our voices overlapped.

For a moment, silence hung between us. The awkwardness was brief, but it was there.

Then, faint smiles appeared on both of our lips.

“Do you come out every morning?”

Yu Hana was the first to break the silence.

“As long as my legs are working.”

At my response, she smiled lightly.

“Then... is it okay if I join from now on?”

I sighed and pulled down my hood, letting out some of the heat that had built up from running.

“That’s not something you need to ask me. It’s your choice.”

At my words, she lowered her head slightly, a wistful smile on her face.

“...I see. Thanks.”

I didn’t mind.

Yu Hana was an important figure in the story. I had originally thought it would be difficult to approach her, but if things were naturally aligning like this, I had no reason to complain.

In fact, this wasn’t just about Yu Hana—it applied to all the heroines.

The original progression was supposed to be Me → Protagonist → Heroines. There was no way I could interact with them directly in the usual flow.

But now the order had changed. If all I had to do was offer support when needed, then this was a far better outcome.

Yu Hana observed me for a moment before nodding.

Her blue hair swayed gently under the soft morning light.

“See you later, okay?”

She offered a short farewell before jogging off in another direction.

Yu Hana had always seemed unpredictable to me, but now that I had spoken with her, she didn’t feel that way at all.

In fact, the way she had acted just now was much closer to the Yu Hana I remembered from the original setting.

I watched her retreating figure for a moment before checking the time.

[AM 6:36]

I still had plenty of time.

Now, it was time to get ready for the real first day at the academy.

***

Before coming to Gaon Academy, traditional military academies strictly enforced gender segregation.

Any interaction between male and female students was strictly forbidden, and there were no opportunities for teenagers to release their overflowing energy.

But Gaon was different.

Here, there were no rules against romance. No, if anything, the academy was rather lenient about it.

On the first day, when students of all genders gathered in one place, the tension and interest that had been building up finally erupted.

“Go ahead, get it all out of your system.”

It had nothing to do with me, though.

These kids were practically infants compared to me. Even by my original age before possession, there was a gap of over ten years.

Male students were lowering their voices, exaggerating their tones as they spoke, while female students feigned indifference, raising their laughter just enough to draw attention.

Adorable. Youth was a wonderful thing. Though, I suppose I was technically young now, too.

They should enjoy it while they could. Soon, they wouldn't have time to laugh.

Because the first class for the protagonist’s group was always...

I took my usual seat in the back corner of the classroom.

A few minutes passed. Then, the door swung open, and footsteps echoed through the room.

The classroom fell silent in an instant.

A figure radiating an overwhelming presence stood before us.

“Quiet.”

Just one word. The room was instantly drowned in silence.

The instructor wasn't dressed in casual wear but in a signature military uniform. His closely cropped hair and the hardened physique reminiscent of a soldier exuded strict discipline.

“Welcome to Unit Class. I am Instructor Park Changmyeong.”

His voice was low and firm.

“For this semester, your unit activities will be one of the most critical parts of Gaon’s curriculum. It holds the highest grading percentage, and even after you become heroes and enter society, this will be the most important trait you possess.”

“For the next semester, you will move as a unit with your assigned members. Your academics, training, and practical exercises—all of it.”

The instructor strode toward the board as he continued.

“Now, before we assign the groups...”

A grin spread across his face, baring his teeth. Then, at that moment, he released a powerful surge of mana.

The entire classroom trembled, and a grayish mist began to rise around the ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) students.

Mass Teleport.

The mana swirled into shape, gradually unfolding before our eyes.

A type of spatial movement magic.

Walking there would’ve been easier, but the instructor clearly had a flair for dramatics.

A flash of white blinded my vision, and when it cleared, a new landscape stretched before me.

Dense greenery surrounded us, and behind us, a magic-formed fence restricted the area.

It was likely an outdoor training ground built within the academy. The entire class of seventy students had probably been split and scattered throughout this enormous practice field.

In front of me, excluding myself, there were four others—a total of five in our group.

Among them was Yu Hana.

She smiled brightly and waved at me.

I looked at her for a moment before nodding slightly.

Then, a male student confidently stood up.

“Hello.”

His voice was smooth.

His neatly combed hair and perfectly fitted uniform gave off an air of confidence.

“I’m Yoon Sanghyuk. Currently ranked 60th. Nice to meet you all.”

His tone was polished and well-rehearsed.

But before he could finish speaking, another student cut in.

“Hey, why are you being so formal? We’re all the same age. Just drop the honorifics.”

A student standing beside him interjected, seeming familiar with him.

“Ah... should I?”

Yoon Sanghyuk scratched his head awkwardly.

"Is everyone okay?"

But his gaze was locked onto Yu Hana.

The question was directed at the group, yet his eyes were fixed solely on her.

“Yu Hana, are you alright? Can I speak casually with you?”

Yu Hana stared at him, expressionless.

A brief silence followed before she gave a short nod.

“Go ahead.”

A minimal response.

But Yoon Sanghyuk didn’t lose momentum. He smiled and took a step closer.

“Honestly, this is amazing. How did our group get such a celebrity? I heard a lot about you even before entering the academy. They say unit activities are incredibly important, but with you here, I guess we have nothing to worry about?”

“We’re really lucky to have you, Yu Hana!!”

Yoon Sanghyuk and the student beside him continued talking enthusiastically.

They were trying desperately to make a good impression on her.

They’re really giving it their all.

“...Yes.”

But her response was brief.

“Haha... you don’t have to be so formal with me.”

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

Yoon Sanghyuk gave an awkward laugh, attempting to lighten the mood.

However, her next words crushed that attempt instantly.

“No, I prefer it this way.”

Her response was blunt and cold.

Yoon Sanghyuk’s expression stiffened slightly. He tried to maintain his smile, but I could see the corners of his lips faltering.

Then, as if searching for a new target, he shifted his gaze to another student.

"I'm Kim Daehyun, ranked 541. My main weapon is a shield."

The new speaker had a thick, sturdy build.

“Uh... alright, 541. Well, let’s do our best.”

Yoon Sanghyuk exchanged a brief conversation with Kim Daehyun before finally turning to me.

He extended his hand with a bright smile.

“Jeong Haein. No assigned rank.”

I shook his hand lightly and answered.

“No rank...?”

His gaze wavered slightly before something clicked in his mind. He nodded as if he had figured it out.

“Oh, I see. You’re a ‘special admission student.’”

A smirk tugged at the corners of his lips.

There was a hint of derision behind that smile.

The way he deliberately emphasized ‘special admission student’ made it clear that he was looking down on me.

I let go of his hand without saying anything.

Seems like he’s mistaken about something.

Yoon Sanghyuk tilted his head back slightly, as if he had secured some minor victory, and returned to his spot.

Before he could settle in, an announcement echoed across the training ground.

—The first task: Form your unit.

The instructions were simple.

But there were no specific restrictions—no rule stating that we had to form a team with those in front of us or any particular method we had to follow.

The message was straightforward: Form your own unit.

This chapter is updat𝓮d by freēnovelkiss.com.

The moment the announcement ended, Yoon Sanghyuk leaned over to whisper something to the student beside him. Then, as if he had thought of something amusing, he smirked.

His eyes scanned the group before subtly approaching Yu Hana.

“Yu Hana.”

She didn’t even look at him as she answered.

“Yes.”

“If you think about it, there’s no real need for us to form a team with just the people here, right? I mean...”

His smile grew more pointed as he continued.

"We should exclude him."

He tilted his head slightly, gesturing toward Kim Daehyun and me.

“Wouldn’t it be better if we made a unit with just the three of us? You, me, and him?”

“That way, the rankings are somewhat close, and we’d be teaming up with people at the same level. Honestly, if we carry them from the start, they’ll get spoiled.”

I didn’t expect him to say it right in front of our faces.

Bold. I’ll give him that.

Kim Daehyun, who had been listening, already looked deflated, staring at the ground in silence.

I, too, considered my options.

Should I take it easy?

Or should I flip the whole situation?

But I didn’t have time to think for long.

Yu Hana let out a soft chuckle as she listened to Yoon Sanghyuk’s words.

Her laugh wasn’t lighthearted.

It wasn’t warm, either.

It was closer to a wry, cynical scoff.

“Level?”

“Did you say level?”

Without once meeting his gaze, Yu Hana walked past him and toward me, her steps graceful and deliberate.

She stopped right in front of me and smiled brightly.

“Jeong Haein.”

Tilting her head slightly, she asked,

“Want to form a unit with me?”

Behind her, Yoon Sanghyuk bristled.

“Hey, what the—!”

Ignoring his voice completely, Yu Hana continued speaking slowly.

“One year ago, at the East Coast Catalyst Explosion—only one person successfully repelled the monster wave.”

At her words, Yoon Sanghyuk’s eyebrow twitched.

“A spear user. Apparently, he’s incredibly handsome too...”

Yu Hana tilted her head as she studied my face, then suddenly reached out and pinched my cheek lightly.

“...Yeah. That checks out.”

Her gaze remained locked onto me, sharp and unwavering.

“The true special admission student, isn’t that right?”

Yoon Sanghyuk’s expression darkened.

At first, he looked confused.

Then, as realization dawned on him, his face froze.

“Looks like...”

Yu Hana gently hooked her arm around mine, her smile turning playful.

“This is where the real level match is.”

Then, with a teasing glint in her eyes, she stuck her tongue out slightly.