The Heroine Stole My Regression

4 – Unit (1)

[AM 06:00]

My smartwatch blared, announcing it was six o’clock.

Quiet, quiet. I’m already up.

It was a morning exercise routine ingrained in me over the past decade. Not a single day missed. I’d get hammered if I skipped.

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

About ten minutes into my run, the frigid morning air became strangely familiar. I feel it every time at this hour; the city’s quiet before it awakens has a unique way of calming the mind.

‘It’s huge, alright.’

The Academy’s grounds lived up to its moniker as an “Academic City.”

The facilities within the Academy alone were equivalent to a small city. The main building itself, promenades, gyms, research facilities, and even a shopping district for students— conceptually, it was built so you wouldn’t even need to leave for everyday life.

The course I was running was a loop around the Academy’s outer perimeter. The long, stretching road made the size of the grounds all the more real. Just as I started to feel breathless, I heard a light footstep behind me.

-Tap, tap, tap.

At first, I paid it no mind. I couldn’t be the only one exercising this early.

-Tap tap tap

But I noticed that the footsteps were keeping pace, matching my rhythm. Inevitably, my head turned.

‘… Yoo Hana?’

Her blue-tinted hair shimmered in the dawn light, swaying with a practiced rhythm.

Clad head-to-toe in a luxury tracksuit, she ran silently, keeping pace behind me without a word.

Was this some continuation of what happened yesterday?

I prefer to exercise alone. Running, for me, is a time to gather my thoughts and condition my body, so having someone running beside me often felt intrusive.

At first, it was unsettling. But she maintained a consistent distance, following quietly, and I soon forgot she was there.

Right, this is just paranoia.

‘She’s just out for a run.’

Yoo Hana made no move towards me.

As if not wanting to disrupt my rhythm, she kept a steady pace, running in silence.

Her breathing was even, her footfalls a natural counterpoint to my own, almost as if calibrated to my rhythm.

I briefly picked up the pace.

Without a flinch, she matched my tempo, as if she’d been expecting it.

It felt almost as though I’d acquired a pacemaker.

And so we ran for quite some time.

-Beep-

My smart watch chimed, signaling 10 kilometers.

Slowing my pace, I came to a stop.

With the quick thud of my heartbeat, I glanced down at my wrist.

The numbers swam into focus, and my eyebrows unconsciously rose. A personal best.

‘Unexpected.’

A record I rarely managed to break, yet today it had felt strangely easy.

Unbidden, my gaze flicked to my side.

Yoo Hana stood beside me, breathing easily, staring straight ahead.

Her breathing remained steady, even the beads of sweat on her forehead shimmered in the morning sun, neat and composed.

‘Doesn’t even look tired.’

Just as I was about to turn away, Yoo Hana tilted her head slightly, our eyes meeting.

“You run well.”

“I do, don’t I?”

The words overlapped.

We stared at each other, a moment of silence hanging in the air. A strange, awkward tension crackled between us, and our eyes locked.

And then, a faint smile blossomed.

“You come out like this every day?”

Yoo Hana shattered the silence.

“If my legs are working.”

My answer coaxed another soft smile from her.

“Then… could I come out too? From now on?”

I sighed deeply, pulling down the zipper of my hoodie. The heat from running had built up.

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

At those words, she lowered her gaze slightly, wearing a smile tinged with something wistful.

“…Okay, thank you.”

Not that I minded. Yoo Hana was a crucial resource for the story. I’d initially figured approaching her would be a long shot, but if things could intertwine this naturally, all the better.

Actually, that was true for all the heroines.

Normally, it should have been me -＞ the protagonist -＞ the heroine, a step-by-step process. Direct contact would certainly have been out of the question.

But what if that order got rearranged? Even better. All that was left was to provide each of them with the necessary support.

Yoo Hana studied me for a moment before nodding.

Her blue hair shimmered softly as the morning sunlight touched it.

“See you later. For sure.”

She offered a quick farewell and headed down a different path with a light step.

I’d gotten the impression that Yoo Hana was restless and unpredictable, but after talking to her, that didn’t seem to be the case. This current version was much closer to the Yoo Hana I knew from the setting, than how she’d been before.

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

[AM 6:36]

Still plenty of time.

I had finished preparing to face the Academy’s official first day.

*

Before coming to Gaon Academy, conventional military academies maintained a strict separation between men and women.

Interaction was strictly prohibited, and no opportunity was given to vent the overflowing energy of teenagers.

But Gaon was different.

Here, there were no rules against dating. Or rather, it should be said that they were lenient.

Late teens, students at the height of their vigor, gathering in one place regardless of gender, on this, the first day.

Years of pent-up interest in one another finally exploded.

“Better get cozy, everyone.”

Decisively, this had nothing to do with me.

How old were these kids? Even counting from before I was inhabiting this body, there was a ten year age difference, at least.

The male students, voices lower than usual, were loudly carrying on with exaggerated tones, while the female students, feigning disinterest, subtly raised their laughter to attract attention.

They were just adorable. Youth is indeed a blessing. Though, am I young, right now?

Anyway, they’d best enjoy their laughter while it lasts. Because soon enough, they won’t be laughing.

Because, without fail, the first class for the protagonist’s class is always….

I settled into my usual seat, the one in the very back corner.

After a few minutes of observing, the door suddenly opened, and the sound of footsteps entered the classroom. The students fell silent in unison. A large, powerful presence stood there.

“Silence.”

Just one word. The classroom was instantly submerged in silence.

The drill instructor was wearing his distinctive military uniform, not plain clothes. His closely cropped hair and firmly built physique evoked a sense of military discipline.

“Welcome to Unit Class. I am your instructor, Park Chang-myung.”

His voice was low and resolute.

“The unit activities you will be undertaking this semester are an essential part of Gaon’s core curriculum. They account for the largest proportion of your grade, and are the most crucial virtue for any hero venturing into society.”

“For the duration of this semester, you will be operating together with the members assigned to your unit. Academics, training, and practical exercises, all of it.”

The instructor moved towards the chalkboard as he continued.

“So now, before we draw lots for the teams…”

He bared his teeth in a sharp grin. At that moment, he stood before the chalkboard and unleashed an intense surge of magical power.

In an instant, the entire classroom shook, and a grey aura bloomed around the students.

‘Mass Teleport.’

The magical power took form and gradually unfolded before my eyes. Think of it as a type of spatial displacement spell.

You could just walk, and that’d be easier, but this is just how this instructor likes to do things.

The world flashed blindingly white, then my vision slowly cleared.

Soon, a new landscape came into view.

A forest overgrown with dense foliage stretched before me, and behind it, a magically constructed fence restricted the area.

Most likely, this was an outdoor training ground within the academy grounds. Consider that all seventy students have been scattered throughout this enormous training area.

The individuals before me numbered four, not including myself, making a total of five.

Among them was Yoo Hana. She smiled brightly at me and waved.

I regarded her for a moment, then gave a slight nod.

It was then. A male student stood from his seat, full of assurance.

“Hello.”

His voice, smooth.

Confidence radiated from his neatly combed hair and the impeccably worn school uniform.

“My name is Yoon Sang-hyeok. I’m currently ranked 60th. It’s a pleasure to meet you all.”

His tone was polished, measured.

But before he could even finish speaking, someone cut in from the side.

“Hey, why all the formalities? We’re all the same age, drop the honorifics.”

A student standing beside him interjected, seemingly a friend.

“Ah… should I?”

Yoon Sang-hyeok scratched his head, looking slightly flustered.

“Is everyone alright with that?”

However, his gaze locked onto Yoo Hana almost immediately.

The question was clearly directed at everyone, but his eyes sought only her.

“Yoo Hana-ssi, are you alright with it? Is it okay if I speak casually?”

Yoo Hana looked at him with an expressionless face.

A moment of silence hung in the air before she gave a short nod.

“Do as you wish.”

The answer, just enough. But Yoon Sang-hyeok didn’t miss a beat. He smiled and stepped forward.

“But seriously, what a relief. How is such a celebrity in our group? I heard so much about you even before entering the school. They say unit activities are really important, so we won’t have to worry, will we?”

“We’re really counting on you!! Yoo Hana-nim!!”

Yoon Sang-hyeok and the student beside him continued to speak with fervent enthusiasm.

They were going to great lengths to try and impress Yoo Hana.

*How diligent.*

“Yes.”

Her reply, however, remained short.

“Haha… You can drop the formalities, you know.”

Yoon Sang-hyeok tried to lighten the atmosphere with an awkward laugh.

But his attempt crumbled with her next words.

“No. I’m more comfortable like this.”

It was a curt, almost icy response, spat out with precision. Yun Sanghyuk’s expression tightened subtly. He tried to maintain his smile, but the flicker at its edges was impossible to miss.

Then, as if having found a new target, his gaze shifted to another student.

“Kim Daehyun, ranked 541st. Treat him well. His main weapon is a shield.”

The student he addressed now possessed a thick, solid build.

“Um… yeah, 541st. Er, let’s do our best.”

Yun Sanghyuk exchanged a few brief words with Kim Daehyun before finally approaching me.

He extended his hand, smiling brightly.

“Jung Haein. No fixed rank.”

I took his hand lightly and replied.

“No rank…?”

His eyes flickered momentarily, then he nodded as if understanding dawned.

“Ah, I see. A ‘special admission’ student.”

He quirked a corner of his lip, a meaningful smile playing across his face.

There was a hint of mockery, something else, lurking beneath the surface of that smile.

The way he emphasized the words, ‘special admission’ student.

Without another word, I released his hand. He seemed to be mistaken about something.

Yun Sanghyuk tilted his head back slightly, as if he’d won a minor victory, and returned to his place.

Barely had he left when an announcement boomed across the training ground.

-First assignment. Form units.

The instruction was simple enough.

But the announcement didn’t specify that teams *must* be composed of the people standing nearby, or any particular method to be used.

It was, quite literally, “Form units.”

As soon as the announcement ended, Yun Sanghyuk whispered something to the student beside him, then his lips curved into a knowing smile.

He glanced around, subtly maneuvering closer to Yoo Hana.

“Yoo Hana.”

Yoo Hana didn’t even look at him as she replied.

“Yes.”

“The more I think about it, the less it seems necessary to only form a team with the members here, don’t you think? Just…”

He offered another loaded smile, continuing.

“Him.”

Yoon Sanghyuk tilted his head slightly, indicating Kim Daehyun and me.

“Except him. How about the three of us—me and her—forming a unit?”

“That way the rankings will be somewhat similar, and people of comparable skill will be on the same team, right? Frankly, if we give them a free ride from the start, they’ll develop bad habits.”

I hadn’t expected him to say it so bluntly, right in front of us, but I had to admire his audacity.

Kim Daehyun, who was listening from the side, already looked dejected, staring at the ground.

I, too, was conflicted. Should I just go along with it?

Or overturn everything?

But the thought didn’t linger for long.

Yoo Hana listened to Yoon Sanghyuk’s words and slowly started to laugh. It wasn’t a light or warm laugh. It was closer to a dumbfounded, almost resentful cynicism.

“Skill?”

“Did you say skill?”

Without ever meeting his gaze, Yoo Hana walked gracefully towards me.

Then, with a bright expression, she smiled and said,

“Jung Haein.”

She stopped in front of me. Then, tilting her head slightly, she asked,

“Want to unit with me?”

Yoon Sanghyuk, who was standing behind, flared up.

“Hey, what…!”

Ignoring his voice, Yoo Hana spoke slowly.

“One year ago, the monster wave caused by the East Sea Catalyst explosion, defeated by a single Awakened.”

At Yoo Hana’s words, Yoon Sanghyuk’s eyebrows twitched slightly.

“I heard he uses a spear, and is incredibly handsome…”

Yoo Hana cocked her head and examined my face, then suddenly reached out and lightly pinched my cheek.

“Oh, he is.”

She was still only looking at me. The gaze was quite intense.

“A true ‘special admission’ case, isn’t he?”

Hearing her words, Yoon Sanghyuk’s face steadily hardened. He initially wore a bewildered expression, but soon his eyes widened as if he understood something.

“It seems…”

Yoo Hana playfully linked her arm with mine, wearing a mischievous smile.

“That this side is the one with the ‘skill’ to match.”

And then, she playfully flicked out her tongue.