The Heroine Stole My Regression

9 – Seong Si-woo (2)

Good morning.

So good, it’s beyond words.

I finished my pondering overnight.

I came to the conclusion that this felt right.

[AM 07:40]

There’s no morning training today. I feel sorry for Yoo Hana, but there was a reason why it absolutely had to be this way.

Well, she probably didn’t come out just to see me anyway. And saying I wasn’t going wouldn’t be appropriate either….

I washed up, opened my laptop, and sat down at my desk.

–

[Aptitude: Renaissance Person]

①Whole Person

ㅡ Possesses exceptional aptitude in ‘all’ fields.

–

When encountering the talent ‘Renaissance Person’ for the first time, you can’t help but feel bewildered by the vague explanation.

Exceptional aptitude? What even *is* aptitude, anyway?

To prove it, I commenced an experiment.

In this world, stock trading is permissible from the age of eighteen.

And I am now nineteen years old.

[100,000,000 KRW]

One year ago, this was the reward money paid out by the Hero Association for defeating the monster wave.

I invested it all.

Repeated trades over the past year. Not in a crazed frenzy, mind you. Just once in a while, whenever boredom struck.

And through that process, I came to realize just how violent the word ‘aptitude’ can be in this world.

Aptitude doesn’t manifest at first glance.

[91,533,264 KRW]

Perhaps initially, one might even lag behind others.

But gradually.

[142,566,214 KRW]

Gradually.

[295,330,111 KRW]

Revealing its presence.

[356,241,450 KRW]

Until finally.

[Jung Hae-in’s Current Balance]

[1,245,242,186 KRW]

It inevitably distinguishes itself from others and emerges.

Did I simply profit because I knew the future?

The main story only commenced a mere two days ago.

I had no knowledge of the stock market before then, nor even interest in it.

[Glory Corp. Daily Lower Limit Due to Distrust in Guild ‘Overlord’ Kang Yu-seong…]

Glory, save for the risk of Kang Yu-seong later being revealed as a minion of the demon lord, is a corporation that will invariably trend upwards until the end of the story.

People use their heads to mitigate risk.

So, what if one were to know there was no risk at all?

‘It’s about time I stopped.’

I’m growing tired of being stuck in front of this monitor, wrestling with it.

[AM 08:00]

The instant the market opened, the stock price plummeted to its daily low.

I didn’t waver, and pressed the buy button.

[‘Glory’ 8300 shares ordered]

[Y]

Whether my choice was right is something my future self will reveal.

I had said something like this before.

‘If you lack talent, you absolutely cannot wield a sword.’

Last night, even after listening to Master’s recording, I replayed the footage several times.

Master’s words were the truth.

No, rather, he was being kind. The talent he possessed for swordsmanship wasn’t merely lacking. It simply wasn’t there.

But the problem wasn’t just the pathetic talent.

‘His personality is utter trash.’

Throughout our breach of the forest, he was the instigator and cause of every conflict within the team.

So, Seong Siwoo, there’s something I want to say to you.

“Abandon the sword.”

He probably won’t heed my words.

He won’t let go, would he?

“His… Attitude.”

I switched the laptop back on and moved my hand to the search bar.

The moment I typed in the keyword ‘Attitude,’ a flood of videos appeared.

I selected and played a few of them.

The movements displayed by those gripping swords in the videos were dazzling and precise.

It doesn’t matter if he doesn’t let go.

From the start, I’m not one to prefer solving things through dialogue.

So I will make him feel it to the very bone.

Even if it means breaking his wrist.

*

Yoo Hana’s mood wasn’t particularly good.

‘He didn’t come….’

Because Jung Haein hadn’t shown for his morning exercise.

But it wasn’t simply his absence that soured her mood.

-You come every day like this?

-If my legs are up to it.

His words echoed. He’d clearly said he’d be here as long as his legs were fine…

‘Maybe he hurt himself?’

If she were to see him vulnerable, injured… she might not be able to bear it.

In more ways than one.

“!”

Lost in thought, she heard footsteps in the distance.

Jung Haein’s footsteps.

Truth be told, just the sound of his steps was enough for her to know he was coming.

‘3… 2… 1….’

The moment she finished counting, he appeared.

Yu Hana shot to her feet and hurried toward him.

“Haein!”

He looked momentarily surprised by her sudden action.

Yu Hana took a step back and asked tentatively.

“Did… you, perhaps… today….”

“Ah.”

A shadow of apology crossed his face.

“Were you waiting? I’m sorry. I had some things I needed to take care of today. I should have said something.”

Yu Hana smiled at his words.

Such kindness, apologizing before she even broached the subject. It filled her with joy.

He was… thankfully, he didn’t seem injured.

“It’s alright, I didn’t go today either.”

“Oh? That’s a relief.”

Yu Hana fell into step beside him, naturally heading towards his usual spot with him.

But someone was already there.

“Hello?”

It was Chun Yeoul.

She’d spread out around Jung Haein’s seat like she owned the place.

And then, subtly guiding Jung Haein further in, she claimed it as her own.

‘Well, look at this…’

Yu Hana clenched her fist, momentarily suppressing her anger.

She’d practically had him to herself these past few days, and they’d even made something of an unspoken agreement.

“See you later.”

Yu Hana waved her hand lightly in farewell.

Knowing when to retreat was a virtue, after all.

“Yeah, go on now.”

Chun Yeoul replied, dripping with a sweetness that felt like poison.

‘…’

Yu Hana endured that moment with superhuman patience.

*

Yu Hana-ssi, where are you going?

Chun Yeoul watched me, her chin resting on her hand.

I definitely preferred Yu Hana over Chun Yeoul. The reason wasn’t complicated.

It was because of that guy glaring daggers at me from up front.

Now that I think about it, this class… it’s a bit off, isn’t it?

‘Yu Hana… Chun Yeoul… Yohan… Kang Arin… Sung Siwoo… no, scratch you.’

Even just considering the students within the top ten rankings, there were quite a few.

Class assignments were decided through a random number lottery system.

You know the kind? The system used in the military after completing training, when assigning positions and units.

In that process, the instructor demonstrates for the recruits, thoroughly proving that there’s no manipulation or intervention.

Naturally, class assignments adopted this same system, so there was no room for any external involvement or corruption.

So, this lineup was purely luck, is what you could say.

Lost in thought, the classroom door opened.

“Hello, good morning. I’m Instructor Do Hanseong.”

It was the instructor who introduced himself as being in charge of our class on the first day.

He walked into the classroom, still looking sleepy.

“I am your training instructor, yes, but my specialty lies elsewhere.”

“Spear… Sword… Let’s just call it weapon combat training.”

He tapped the chalkboard a couple of times, and once again the familiar auditorium revealed itself.

“Today, we’ll be sparring, each with their chosen weapon.”

At the auditorium entrance were the armaments we’d seen before, and beyond that, a wide open space.

A murmur rippled, growing louder amongst the students.

“As for partners… well, first, those who want to, pair up. And for those left over, I’ll draw names at random.”

“Go right ahead, you can start now.”

Today’s lesson was weapon combat.

My opponent, I’d already decided on in my heart.

“Haein-ah, wanna team up?”

Cheon Yeoul asked from beside me.

But she wasn’t the opponent I’d chosen.

“Sorry, there’s someone I already had in mind.”

“…Who?”

I turned my gaze, searching for that someone.

No, I was about to search.

Suddenly, Johan materialized before me, completely blocking my view.

“Jeong Haein, was it?”

He said, extending a hand.

“Spar with me.”

His personal brand of justice, it seemed, had already begun.

The flow of energy, the posture he held. Not bad.

Perhaps it’s because he’s a Hero candidate, but he’s passable. It might be fun…

Unfortunately, it seems today isn’t your day either.

“I already have someone in mind.”

Even with my answer, Johan didn’t budge.

His hand remained outstretched, right in front of me.

“Hey, he told you to scram.”

Geez.

From beside me, Chun Yeo-ul growled.

“I told you if you act up one more time, I’m filing for a no-contact order with the academy.”

Yohan glanced at Chun Yeo-ul, hesitated for a moment, and then backed down.

But his gaze remained fixed on me, unwavering.

‘Okay.’

Looks like I’ll have to deal with him before long, too.

“…So, who is it? Yoo Hana? Or maybe Kang Arin?”

“Neither.”

I paused for a beat before answering.

“Seong Si-woo.”

“Ah…”

At my words, she offered a knowing smile.

“Alright, I get it.”

*

Seong Si-woo accepted the duel unexpectedly easily.

Truth be told, it was as if word of his temperament had already spread; no one else was even trying to request a match.

‘Oy vey….’

Si-woo, what will you become when you grow up, really?

“You feeling confident?”

From the moment he accepted the duel, he’d been relentlessly needling me.

I hadn’t bothered to respond, but he didn’t seem to tire of it on his own.

“Instructor.”

“Yes.”

“Jung Hae-in and Seong Si-woo will be sparring.”

“Yes, yes, grab your weapons back there and head to Area C to wait.”

He scribbled something on his clipboard, gesturing towards the weapons at the back.

After going to the weapons, I asked Seong Si-woo.

“What are you using?”

I already knew, but I asked again, just in case.

“Hah.”

He scoffed, picking up a practice katana.

Of course.

“And what are you?”

He demanded, thrusting the katana forward.

“Uh-oh, you can’t do that. This zone hasn’t had the mana treatment yet, you’ll actually get hurt.”

Dohanseong rushed to stop Seong Siwoo, horrified.

“Hmm… maybe I’ll use one of these too.”

I picked up a katana from the opposite side.

Instructor Dohanseong tilted his head, a puzzled look on his face as he asked me,

“Student Haein’s record says she uses a spear, did I perhaps note it down incorrectly?”

“No, spear is right. I just wanted to try this out once. Is it a problem, Instructor?”

“Ah, no. I see. There’s no problem. You are responsible for the consequences, after all.”

After answering, he turned his head and continued recording the names of the next students.

However, Seong Siwoo’s expression was a dark knot.

His pride seemed wounded.

I didn’t pay it any mind and headed to Zone C of the arena.

Upon entering the zone, glass walls rose up seamlessly, creating a wide open space.

“Have you ever used a sword before?”

Seong Siwoo spoke from across the way.

His gaze was completely fixed on me.

“Nope.”

At my short answer, his gaze intensified.

“Then, have you ever… learned?”

“Uh… maybe.”

His brow furrowed even deeper.

His expression was one of disbelief.

“Who is your master?”

Master… a pleasant resonance.

My master, of course, was only one.

“You-Tube.”

His enraged expression, upon hearing my answer, deflated as if in disbelief.

“YouTube videos.”

YouTube is quite nice these days, you see.