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The Heroine Stole My Regression-Chapter 82
Yoon Chaeha had devoured the remnants of the Evil God.
This meant a check was necessary.
If there was any magical interference, it would definitely show up in the system.
Heroes can, by mutual consent, open each other's systems.
"I think I need to check. This might be a little dangerous."
I requested to view Yoon Chaeha’s system under the pretext of checking her status, providing a brief explanation.
Typically, such requests are rare, as heroes are reluctant to expose all their details, but she agreed.
It’s not often they grant permission so readily from the beginning.
"Uh, wait a second."
Yoon Chaeha turned her head for a moment, her face turning red to her earlobes, and quietly nodded.
After a moment, the system window appeared.
====
[Ability: A Priori]
① Penetrating Gaze
Nothing can be hidden, nothing can be concealed.
② A Priori Knowledge
The essence has already been determined.
③ The Devourer of Hunger
Eats, analyzes, and absorbs everything as it is.
====
I already knew about 1 and 2.
These were unique traits of Yoon Chaeha’s, ones she had unlocked since childhood.
But 3...
‘What is this?’
In the original story, if Yoon Chaeha failed to make contact with the protagonist, she would never reach the third sub-ability.
However, if she succeeded in the connection, she would gain enlightenment from the protagonist and unlock the third ability.
The problem was that the name of the ability she would unlock was [Inferno].
A blazing fire that matched her attributes perfectly.
But the name that appeared before me was...
The Devourer of Hunger?
What is this?
Just then.
"Is there a problem?"
Yoon Chaeha, who had been staring at the system in the air, suddenly leaned forward.
Her eyes were wide, and her breath was dangerously close to mine.
I reflexively pulled back.
She tilted her head and stared at me intently.
I inhaled softly and shook my head.
"No. Nothing."
Surprisingly, I was telling the truth.
Using all my perception and knowledge, there was no trace of external interference within her.
There was something, though—it was completely blocked.
What I could sense was one thing.
A massive energy that had taken root within her.
‘She’s absorbed it so well.’
I didn’t expect it to be absorbed this quickly.
From here on, the important task would be how well she managed that energy.
The remnants were large and powerful.
If not perfectly tuned, it could spiral out of control or become entangled.
A colossal energy that I couldn’t even fully grasp.
Normally, I would share my knowledge and guide her step-by-step, absorbing and interpreting together over time, slowly.
But now...
‘I might not be able to help.’
If it had been absorbed slowly with me from the start, it might have been manageable.
But now, trying to control the energy already deeply rooted in Yoon Chaeha in my own way was sheer arrogance.
Any slight intervention would only ruin the flow.
It was better to step back.
She would handle it {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} on her own.
In her own way. At her own pace.
No intensive care or guidance.
Perhaps magical herbs, equipment, and material support.
In magical thinking, her power surpassed mine.
There was no need to constrain her magical creativity within my framework.
She stared at me with wide eyes.
Then, carefully, she spoke.
"Well, if there’s no problem... I’ll leave it to you, okay?"
I nodded.
The direction for Yoon Chaeha was set.
‘Leave her be.’
And observe.
I would watch closely but not interfere as I had been.
"Yeah, sure."
This was the best approach.
***
At the top floor of Glory.
The luxurious lighting slowly descended into the space.
A faint fragrance lingered, and through the transparent glass walls, the city’s nightscape spread out.
This was Kang Arin’s office.
The atmosphere itself was enough to make people nervous.
In fact, many employees who had been called here had to swallow their tears in secret in the presence of Kang Arin’s cold gaze.
However.
"Hehe~ ♪ Mmm~ ♫"
This had nothing to do with Cheon Yeoul.
She was humming a little tune, walking around the glass walls.
She lifted her toes lightly as she made a small turn.
Kang Arin glanced at the source of the noise, then lowered her gaze back to her papers.
"Shut up."
A cold remark.
But Cheon Yeoul didn’t seem to care.
Her reason for being here was clear.
On the surface, it was about the association's compensation calculations and a discussion with Glory, attending as a representative of the Arcadia Order...
Look at her appearance.
Kang Arin narrowed her eyes.
The changed expression, the pure overflowing holy energy—she knew immediately.
Even if she tried to hide it, it was impossible. Of course, she didn’t even try.
It was clear that she had gained something from Haein again.
And, no doubt, she was itching to scratch it.
In the end, Cheon Yeoul casually perched herself on the corner of Kang Arin’s desk.
Then, with a voice like a lark, she began to chirp.
"To be honest, I was a bit surprised. He put the crown on me, with everyone watching, personally. This is the first time for me."
"..."
"But, it felt pretty good once I got it. It’s like declaring it’s mine, or being owned... I almost just... right there, I almost..."
Cheon Yeoul stopped mid-sentence, clenched her hands tightly, and then relaxed them weakly.
"When will the restriction lift... so frustrating...."
Here we go again.
Kang Arin slowly felt her insides twist.
She endured silently, flipping the papers.
Then, in that moment.
A thought crossed her mind.
"Anyway, with the cross, the ring, and the tiara, I’ve already gotten so many..."
As Cheon Yeoul proudly counted on her fingers, boasting about her accomplishments, Kang Arin spoke up with a slight chuckle.
"Well, looks like you'll be left to fend for yourself soon."
Heh.
Kang Arin's smile was subtle yet knowing.
Cheon Yeoul’s grin slowly faded.
She turned to her, slightly tilting her head, her face now serious.
"... What do you mean?"
"What do you mean? Don’t you know Haein’s personality?"
Kang Arin put down her pen and raised her head.
She locked eyes with Cheon Yeoul.
"Look at Yu Hana. She got all excited with her new sword, showing off her skills, thinking she was ready, but now she’s being neglected. She’s practically dying, and that’s probably going to happen to you for a while."
"... She’s her own case."
Cheon Yeoul bit her lip, forcing a smile to argue back, but her voice trembled slightly.
Kang Arin shrugged.
"Now that you’re officially a Saint, and your divine power is filled... Oh? Is it time for the Saint to be cast aside now?"
"Shut up."
Tap.
Cheon Yeoul slapped the edge of the desk with her palm, cutting off the conversation.
At that moment, the balance of the conversation had clearly shifted to Kang Arin.
She found the reaction amusing, placing her hands on the desk and resting her chin.
This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.
"I knew this would happen, so I didn’t do anything yet."
"What?"
Cheon Yeoul’s eyes wavered slightly.
She hadn’t received anything from Haein up until now.
It was a considerate action on her part and a line she had drawn for herself.
But the others weren’t like that.
Now, there would be no more yielding.
Kang Arin spoke joyfully.
"Is it finally my turn to receive Haein’s affection?"
And with that, she slowly grinned.
***
The exchange competition was fast approaching.
This morning, I woke up a little earlier than usual. My head felt clear.
A black notebook with a plain cover sat on the desk.
I opened it casually. It was time to organize my thoughts after a long while.
"Let’s see."
For now, there would be fewer things to worry about. Whether it was people or incidents.
It felt like it was time to start focusing on the next individual’s growth.
Yu Hana was diligently honing her swordsmanship.
Cheon Yeoul had become the Saint.
Yoon Chaeha had absorbed the remnants.
Each of them had taken a step forward and was using that as a stepping stone.
The name that the notebook ultimately pointed to.
Kang Arin.
I quietly repeated her name in my head, picking up the pen and writing it in the corner of the notebook.
"She’s a tough one."
In fact, there were definitely things I could offer Kang Arin.
Like with the others, I had a plan prepared for her.
But the problem was...
‘She’s already done it.’
If I tried to give her a potion, she had probably already taken it herself.
If I offered her equipment, that was even more difficult.
She was from Glory’s prestigious family. She couldn’t be walking around without gear.
In the end, the only thing I could give her...
‘A fragment.’
The most valuable and rare resource.
But that was difficult for now.
I thought about it for a few more minutes, but at this point, there wasn’t much I could do for her.
She had always been the type to handle things on her own, and most of all, she was far too intelligent.
In the end, this needed more contemplation.
I closed the notebook.
And stood up from my seat.
It was already time to head to school.
Gaon was preparing for the upcoming exchange competition, getting the grounds ready.
On the surface, it was a festival, but for those not participating, it was just a pleasant spectacle.
I quietly opened the back door of the classroom and stepped inside.
As usual, I walked toward my reserved seat.
Cheon Yeoul was sitting there.
"Good morning."
"You too."
She gave a light smile in response to my greeting.
There would likely be no classes today.
I guessed we’d do some warm-up exercises and light training in preparation for the exchange competition.
I sat down quietly and waited for the instructor.
Then, a small voice came from beside me.
"Hey... Haein..."
"Huh?"
Her tone was hesitant.
I looked over and saw Cheon Yeoul cautiously looking at me.
"I’ve really become the Saint now..."
"Right."
She was now the official Saint of Arcadia.
It hadn’t been reported to the media yet, but that was just a matter of time.
"And, I learned the sacred arts that are only allowed for the Saint..."
"That’s great."
This was good news.
The sacred arts exclusive to the Saint would probably be very difficult, but it was something she had to learn.
Before continuing, Cheon Yeoul briefly lowered her gaze.
"But it’s really difficult... Could you maybe teach me a bit?"
I immediately replied.
"Of course. Let’s open it up now. We can take a quick look before the instructor comes."
"Okay!"
Her face brightened.
Her hands quickly searched through her bag, and just as she was about to pull out a luxurious scroll...
‘...Wait a minute.’
I froze for a moment.
‘Is it right for me to teach this?’
I could teach her.
I had enough basic knowledge to offer some direction.
But when it came to the higher sacred arts, it wasn’t as simple as just opening a scroll.
It wasn’t something that could be reduced to just a technique.
To truly master it, she would need to fully understand and internalize it.
That’s where the difference started.
If I rushed in and quickly helped her understand, she might only learn the surface and not grasp its depth.
That meant she wouldn’t be able to fully wield its true power.
No.
That would never do. Maybe later, but for now...
The first steps she took as a Saint had to be her own.
"Wait."
I reached out and gently touched the scroll she was about to open.
Cheon Yeoul looked at me in surprise.
I pressed the scroll down slightly and spoke.
"You’ll have to figure this out yourself."
There were things I could teach her, and things I couldn’t.
"Eh...?"
Her eyes wavered.
Unfortunately, it was closer to the latter.