The Heroine Stole My Regression-Chapter 45

In the depths of dawn, thick clouds hung low over the wide-open sky of the training ground.

Moonlight barely pierced through the gaps, just enough to push back the darkness.

Beneath that sky,

A rhythmic sound echoed across the floor of the training field.

—Shk.

—Whoosh.

Crack!

The tip of a spear sliced through the air.

It accelerated in a burst, then settled into a refined flow.

“....”

I panted heavily and pulled the spear back—then slammed it hard into the ground.

Around me, weapons were scattered across the floor.

I needed this moment of introspection before the Arena of Exchange began.

After obtaining the Fragment and using Harpe, one thing had become painfully clear:

My style of combat had to change.

The Fragment.

It was never something meant for me to begin with.

Ever since my possession, I’d relied on a method of condensing mana into a single sharp point to pierce vital spots.

Even against demons or high-tier corrupted, if I packed my mana into a single burst and hit the weak point precisely enough, I could overcome them.

Maybe, someday, I’ll forge a new path entirely my own—but not yet.

For now, this method had been the most efficient way to fight higher beings—and survive.

But the Fragment changed the nature of my mana.

Wuuuuumm—

The mana I summoned to my hand trembled. Deep grey mana shimmered faintly with a jade-green hue as it pulsed.

My mana now bore the attribute of Demon Banishment.

A pinpoint strike was no longer the most effective approach.

To the corrupted, this attribute felt like extreme heat.

From the moment it made contact, it began to burn—melting through like molten fire.

Rather than aiming for vital spots, it was far more effective to inflict wide-spread wounds.

Condensing mana into a single thrust had now become the least efficient tactic.

Clang!

Another weapon clattered to the ground.

I had tested countless arms.

And in reviewing each one, I searched for the weapon best suited to my new style.

First, the sword.

Wide-bladed, specialized for slashing.

Not a bad choice—but as I’ve said before, swords are hard to master in this world. The reach is too short.

Thanks to my Renaissance Man trait, I could probably learn it... but it would take time.

Second, the spear.

A weapon focused on thrusting. It could slash, yes, but the spear I used was structurally built for piercing.

In short, not compatible with the new method.

Third, the halberd.

A type of spear that combines a spear tip and a blade edge.

Capable of both slashing and thrusting.

It had the reach of a spear, was less of a leap to adapt to than a sword, and I could apply my spear techniques directly.

It allowed me to preserve my style while evolving my combat.

“....”

I picked up the spear with a crescent blade—a moonblade halberd.

In my mind, this was the most reasonable choice.

The Renaissance Man trait guided me toward the best option even in this.

I swung it with force.

BOOM!

A ripple tore through the air like it was being shredded.

The wide arc of mana cut through the training dummies with ease.

“...Not bad.”

I ran my fingers along the halberd’s edge.

It had already started to corrode from the demonic energy in that last fight.

I needed a new weapon anyway.

“I’ll go with this.”

With a quiet murmur, I gripped the halberd again.

And once more—

Wham!

I swung with force.

***

The Arena of Exchange began.

Despite the recent disaster, the academy acted as if nothing had happened, proceeding with the event as scheduled.

It was held in alternating years.

This year, it was Gaon’s turn to host.

A massive plaza.

A lot of them...

To the left stood Kalos’s first-year students.

To the right, Gaon’s first-years lined up.

Gaon’s plaza was big enough to hold this crowd without issue.

High above, on the raised platform, sat the presidents and principals of both academies.

When the representatives stood, the murmuring of the students below briefly ceased.

“We now commence the Arena of Exchange.”

A calm yet authoritative voice echoed across the plaza.

The students gave polite applause as the event officially began.

And from that moment on—

Students began drifting toward the other side, ending their hesitation and awkward laughter.

“I’m going!”

“See you later!”

The exchange had begun.

Some waved goodbye to friends, parting ways.

Some smiled brightly. Others wore downcast expressions.

And then—

Like the sea parting, the Kalos students split down the middle.

And through that gap, a single figure emerged.

Hair like gold, reflecting the light.

The shimmer in her strands seemed even more radiant under the sun.

She crossed through the crowd with an indifferent expression.

Her steps never faltered.

At her side walked another figure.

A soft, likable face—but with presence. He exchanged brief farewells with friends as he followed.

Yoon Chaeha. And Ju Seojun.

The two of them were walking toward Gaon.

And I was watching them from above, standing on the stage.

On either side of me sat Cheon Yeoul and Yu Hana, with the presidents and principals of both academies next to them.

The presidents and principals of Gaon and Kalos spoke endlessly across the three of us.

Sniping at each other with every sentence.

Gaon’s side bragged about how Yoon Chaeha and Ju Seojun had chosen their academy, subtly jabbing at Kalos.

In turn, Kalos kept bringing up the demon assault incident to twist the knife into Gaon.

And we—sat in the middle of it all.

So exhausting.

The reason I was sitting here was simple.

Only two students had dealt with Moras directly—Cheon Yeoul and Yu Hana.

And I had slain Medusa.

Today, this ceremony was meant to award us for that.

I was seated between Cheon Yeoul and Yu Hana.

The fact that they chose to hand out commendations during the Arena of Exchange made it clear—

“Look at the kind of students Gaon produces.”

It was a flex.

Of course, I just wished they'd get their basics in order before showing off.

—Haaam.

Follow curr𝒆nt nov𝒆ls on fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com.

Beside me, Cheon Yeoul brought her palm to her mouth in a quiet yawn.

She’d been chatty at the start of the event, but now she looked drowsy.

Yoo Hana also seemed stiff and uncomfortable, fidgeting in her seat.

I reached into my pocket and pulled out a small, neatly wrapped piece of candy.

As I began to unwrap it, I spoke.

“Want one?”

Immediately, both pairs of eyes locked onto my hand.

A small brown candy.

Their eyes widened just slightly.

It wasn’t actually candy. It was one of the elixirs I picked up while dungeon diving during the academy closure.

Nothing too fancy.

It aided circulation, supposedly carried cosmetic benefits and other effects that were good for women...

I wouldn’t know. I’m a guy.

I’d already eaten one earlier.

As for Kang Arin... she’s got access to enough high-end stuff. No need to bother giving her something this low-tier.

“I want one.”

—Shh.

Yoo Hana reached out without hesitation and took it.

“You’re supposed to crush it with your teeth fir—”

—Sluurp, slurp.

Before I could finish, she gently popped it in her mouth.

And like she was savoring a rare tonic, she began slowly letting it melt on her tongue.

It was going to taste bitter, I was sure of it.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

Sure enough, her lips twitched as she bit down slightly.

But even so, she kept sucking on it, unwavering.

Then she turned to Cheon Yeoul.

Cheon Yeoul looked curious, but didn’t extend her hand.

Instead—slowly, with complete naturalness—

Her lips parted just a little. A faint breath escaped.

Her eyes flicked downward briefly, then back up.

She pointed to her lips with her finger.

“Feed me.”

Not a word spoken.

She simply stared at me, mouth still open.

“...”

I stayed still.

And then, Cheon Yeoul smiled softly with her eyes—slowly, very slowly, she extended her tongue.

Bit by bit. Like she was leaning out to receive something...

—Tup.

I placed the elixir in her mouth and gently closed it.

Her eyelids lowered.

Her mouth moved slowly, as if rolling the candy on her tongue. Her lips pressed together and parted again in a delicate rhythm.

Then—

—Sluurp.

A faint, quiet slurping sound.

Her lips closed gently, then opened again, soft and subtle.

I turned my head away. Couldn’t keep watching.

We got a little closer, and now she’s acting out. This is her real personality.

Even in the original story, once she overcame her misandry and built enough intimacy, she started behaving this way.

At that moment, the host standing at the podium spoke into the mic.

“Now, we will proceed with the awards ceremony.”

Someone brought out the certificates from the back. I raised my head to look at the stage.

We stepped forward to the podium.

The speeches continued.

—Tap.

The principal handed me the award.

I accepted it and gave a small bow.

Cheon Yeoul and Yu Hana received theirs in turn. The physical prizes would be distributed later.

Then I heard a quiet whisper from the staff.

“Please return to your seats below the platform.”

Finally over.

I folded the certificate in half and shoved it casually into my pocket as I stepped down.

Cheon Yeoul and Yu Hana followed beside me.

That was when Gaon’s principal picked up the microphone.

His voice echoed across the plaza.

He gave a few reminders, called for unity among students—typical closing remarks.

Then he said,

“With this, the Arena of Exchange comes to an end.”

The students erupted in cheers.

“We hope that by the time the exchange tournament arrives, you’ll have grown from this experience and show us a new version of yourselves.”

—Clap clap clap!

Applause followed.

The dignitaries on stage began to rise from their seats one by one.

Students also started leaving in orderly lines.

That was when—I felt it.

A gaze.

I turned my /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ head.

Golden hair, gleaming faintly like it had absorbed the sun, swayed gently in the breeze.

Yoon Chaeha.

She was quietly staring at me.

Beneath long lashes, her brilliant orange eyes flickered with a calm intensity.

For a brief second, our eyes locked.

Then—

Swish.

As if nothing had happened, she turned her head naturally, smoothly.

A calm, unbothered gesture.

But in that fleeting moment of eye contact, I was certain.

It worked.

Yoon Chaeha had stepped into the current I’d created.

And where that current led—

Would be up to me.