The Heroine Stole My Regression-Chapter 104
In front of Gaon Dormitory’s main gate.
—Chik.
The limousine door opened quietly.
I stepped out slowly and closed the door behind me.
“Thank you, driver.”
As I got out, I gave a polite nod to the chauffeur who had brought me here.
Originally, I should’ve returned to Gaon through a portal, but since it had closed due to the late hour, the Glory Corporation’s personal chauffeur had driven me directly.
Even though I’d ridden this car several times just today, it still felt unfamiliar.
Both riding in such a car—and stepping out of it as if it were natural.
“Haa.”
A long sigh escaped me.
I took off the suit jacket and slung it over my shoulder.
I’d thought it was borrowed, but apparently, it was a gift from Kang Arin.
She’d bought it on the spot. I didn’t even want to know how much it cost.
The fatigue from today wasn’t just physical.
Of course, for all the exhaustion, I’d gained a lot too.
Meeting face-to-face with the Association Chairman, guild leaders, and high-ranking officials from various groups.
Getting to speak with them directly and exchanging names—that was no small feat.
I’d assumed such an opportunity would only come after I had fully established myself.
And more than anything, running into Yu Serin on the rooftop...
That was an unexpectedly significant gain.
Judging by her state at the time, it was clear she was deeply lost—or breaking down.
If someone can be saved with just a bit of advice, then it's right to try saving them.
Of course, it’s her decision from this point on.
Whether she stays holed up in a crumbling nest, living in false comfort with broken wings until she’s devoured by a snake—or whether she flies free and spreads those wings.
Even I was curious about that.
While lost in thought, I found myself already at the dormitory door.
Since it was late, I quietly tapped the door lock and stepped inside.
The familiar chime of the lock being released.
As soon as I opened the door, a familiar scent tickled my nose.
“...Huh?”
I stopped in my tracks.
For a moment, a chill ran down my spine.
A soft scent of air freshener wafted through the dorm.
Normally, I wouldn’t have thought twice about it.
Given the sweaty training routines of Gaon students, the academy encouraged everyone to use air fresheners.
I usually sprayed some before going out, alongside ventilating the room.
So I’d assumed the scent was always there.
But this morning—I definitely didn’t spray any.
I had been in a rush and only ventilated the room before leaving.
“......”
I quietly looked around the room.
Everything seemed in its usual state.
Items on the desk were untouched, the bed was neat—nothing seemed out of place.
“...Must be my imagination.”
Muttering to myself, I hung my suit jacket on the chair.
The lingering scent did bother me a little, but seriously—who would sneak into a dorm just to spray air freshener?
Besides, this was Gaon.
The dorms were fully protected by magi-tech systems.
Only authorized people could enter.
To breach that, you'd either have to live in this building—
Or be someone strong enough to completely ignore the security.
The thought gave me a headache.
Weariness began to settle in.
And the buzz from the alcohol was starting to rise again.
I collapsed onto the bed.
“...Whatever. I’m just going to sleep.”
I closed my eyes.
And just like that, I drifted off [N O V E L I G H T] almost immediately.
***
“Ugh.”
My head throbbed slightly.
I hadn’t had that much wine, but I still felt heavy and sluggish.
Maybe it was the beer I mixed with it.
Stretching out, I headed to my usual hangover soup spot.
It was the place Seong Ara had personally recommended.
The restaurant was mostly empty, but I could see some familiar faces seated far inside.
“You’re here.”
The Old Man. Ha Taeseong.
Next to them sat Seong Ara, who had already eaten half her soup, and across from her was a familiar back-of-the-head.
“You already started eating?”
I checked the time.
I had arrived exactly when we had agreed.
“She insisted we come early or she’d throw up all over the place, so we got here fast.”
“How much did you drink...?”
Apparently, Seong Ara had had more than expected.
The Old Man and Ara-noona had both been at the party last night.
We’d crossed paths, but they kept things strictly formal with me.
‘I’ll have to explain eventually...’
Of course, behind the scenes, Ara gave me a full scolding.
Honestly, I’d basically been summoned again today.
“Haein!”
A familiar voice.
I turned my head—Sion was waving at me.
The owner of that familiar head was none other than Sion.
“You came too?”
“Yeah. I kinda missed the hangover soup here.”
She rested her cheek on her palm as she spoke.
“Guess I overdid it a little yesterday. I’m really tired.”
“Didn’t you say you’d be resting at the dorm?”
She had bragged to me that she’d be lounging around like a lion all day.
“...Well, yeah... but... just...”
Sion trailed off awkwardly.
I found it odd but didn’t press her.
I sat down, and the soup arrived shortly after.
Steam rose in thick clouds.
Only after a few spoonfuls did I feel my body begin to loosen up.
That’s when—
“Jeong Haein.”
From across the table, Ara-noona rested her chin on both hands and looked at me.
She was finishing her second bowl and her expression now had a mischievous glint.
“Explain yourself.”
Raising her brow, she started her interrogation.
“Well, there’s not much to explain...”
I started sweating as I tried to come up with an excuse.
That it was a great opportunity, that I gained valuable experience, and so on...
As I trailed off, Ara shrugged and took another spoonful of soup.
It seemed she had only been teasing.
“Still, the suit looked good on you.”
The quiet remark came from Sion, sitting next to her.
“How’d you see it?”
I turned my head—Sion kept hers lowered, scooping up her soup.
“I saw the photo. Ara-unni showed me.”
“...Ah.”
“I saw you standing next to Kang Arin too.”
“....”
I just fiddled with my spoon in silence.
“Just saying~”
Sion didn’t add anything more.
I’d thought they might run into each other during the joint classes—seems they were more familiar than I assumed.
Oh, right.
I remembered something from last night.
It had been bothering me, so I turned to Ara-noona and asked.
“Noona, is it possible for a student to bypass Gaon’s dorm security?”
—Pfft! Cough! Cough!
Sion started coughing violently, having inhaled some soup.
Looks like it went down the wrong pipe.
“Eat slowly.”
I patted her back gently and waited for Ara’s answer.
Ara was one of the top magi-tech experts in Vanquisher.
I’d heard that her tech was used in Gaon’s security systems.
“Hmm? Nah. That’d be nearly impossible. It’s Gaon, after all.”
“Right, that’s what I figured.”
“Yeah. Definitely not. Unless you’re some genius reverse-engineering mage... no student could do it.”
“What about you, noona?”
“Me? I could sneak in even with a cane, easy~”
Ara gave a bright smile and a shrug.
Yeah.
Exactly what I thought.
There’s no way a student would have Ara’s level of skill and intuition.
Must’ve just been my imagination.
“...Why’d you ask that all of a sudden?”
Sion asked cautiously after calming down.
“Well, I definitely didn’t spray any air freshener yesterday morning, right?”
“...Yeah.”
“But when I came back last night, the scent was really strong. More than usual. So I guess... I was just imagining things.”
I said it lightly, taking another spoonful of soup.
“I see... the air freshener... got it...”
Sion nodded.
“Geez~ you’re so paranoid~”
Ara chuckled as she chimed in.
I scratched my head and replied sheepishly.
“Yeah, must’ve just been fatigue.”
We quietly returned to eating.
“By the way, isn’t it exam season? Should you two be hanging out like this?”
“She’s right.”
“...Hey.”
At my playful jab, Sion flinched.
“Come on, give us a tip. Final exams.”
I pressed her for advice on the finals.
She was a Gaon graduate, after all.
She might have something useful to share.
“Finals? Ugh...”
Ara shuddered as if recalling something traumatic.
Understandable—Gaon’s finals were brutal.
Not something I wanted to deal with either.
“I don’t really have anything to offer. You two’ll do fine, anyway... Just take it easy. Don’t overdo it.”
“We will.”
“Yes.”
Sion and I responded almost in unison.
Ara nodded, then wrapped her arms around the table and slumped over.
By then, we had all finished eating.
“Alright, let’s call it here. I’m really gonna rest now~”
“...Hoo.”
The Old Man sighed softly and stepped away from Ara.
Completely free-spirited Ara was the absolute worst match for the rigid Old Man.
He probably had to drink a ton last night because of her. A total disaster for Ha Taeseong.
“...Head on back.”
“Yep.”
“Okay, Grandpa.”
After a simple farewell, the Old Man walked off with his hands behind his back.
Ara was practically dragged along behind him.
Note to self: Never become an adult like that.
As we stepped out of the restaurant, the chilly air touched my skin.
The sunlight was warm, but the breeze was still crisp.
Sunday, 9 a.m.
It was the weekend, but I didn’t feel great.
My shoulders were starting to feel heavy.
‘Final exams.’
Time to return to my student self.
Beside me, Sion murmured,
“Guess it’s time to start studying...”
I rotated my neck and replied,
“‘Time to start’ sounds good. That means we’re not too late yet.”
I stretched lightly.
“See you tomorrow.”
“Yeah.”
And just like that, we each went our own way.
Finals were creeping ever closer.
Chapter 104
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