Episode 76: Exchange Battle (1)
Late at night.
The faint scent of lavender lingers in the air.
The room is silent, so quiet that not even the sound of the wind outside the window can be heard.
It’s the hour when everyone is lost in deep slumber.
Yoon Chae-ha leans back against the bed, staring wordlessly at the ceiling.
The disheveled blanket, the unkempt hair.
Slowly, she raises her right hand.
Her crimson eyes follow the movement of her fingertips.
“…….”
The moment from last evening flashes in her mind—when Yu Hana’s sword had sliced through her.
The sword strike scattering like flower petals.
A sharp, precise thrust piercing straight through the axis of her magic circle.
Outwardly, she had pretended nothing was wrong, gotten up, and continued training.
But inside—
Inside, she was burning.
A sensation like molten lava bubbling within.
And at the core of that searing heat, something strangely solid lay rooted.
Deep within her heart.
The yang energy Jung Haein had passed to her pulsed faintly, like a quiet breath.
A scorching, heavy sensation.
She still didn’t know how to properly control it—could only feel it.
But its presence was undeniable.
If anything, that feeling only agitated her further.
‘I lost.’
Not just a simple defeat.
A brutal, overwhelming gap in strength.
She places a hand on her forehead and exhales deeply.
Even the cool dawn air feels warm against her skin, all because of whatever is simmering inside her.
Her fingertips tremble slightly.
“…I won’t lose next time.”
The words slip out, low and clear.
The room and the night remain silent.
But her mind is still filled with the fluttering petals.
That night—
She lost countless times…
And yet, countless times, she stood back up.
***
-Ding.
Just as I was preparing to leave my room, a notification chime sounded from my watch.
A single message from the Association appeared on the screen.
[Hero Jung Haein. Your reward proposal has been prepared. Please visit the Association at your earliest convenience.]
The message informed me that the reward was ready and I could visit whenever suited my schedule.
“…Wonder what they’ve prepared.”
After reading it, I muttered quietly to myself.
I’d accept it as long as it was something the others could use too.
Honestly, even though the decision was made for my sake, allowing access to Bulgaraam’s forge must have been a big deal for the Association.
I’d have to drop by sooner or later anyway.
I also needed to visit with Yoon Chae-ha regarding the Evil God’s stone.
This weekend… would be perfect.
Saturday.
No particular plans, and it seemed like the best timing.
I opened the message input on my watch and typed a short reply.
[I’ll visit around Saturday morning.]
I hit send and turned off the screen.
“Oh, right.”
Suddenly, I remembered the Glory stocks I’d invested in.
Lately, they seemed to be skyrocketing.
I opened my balance screen to check for the first time in a while.
“…Wow.”
A short exhale of amazement escaped me.
It had grown far beyond what I’d imagined—no, even beyond that.
Enough to make me want to quit being a Hero right then and there.
Of course, I had no intention of doing that.
It was about time to cash out some of it. Even withdrawing just a portion would give me a sizable sum.
I slowly closed the screen.
Maybe I’d browse the auction with the funds. Not a bad idea.
“Okay.”
There was a lot to do, but no need to rush.
I could take it step by step.
I stood up from my seat.
Somehow, it was already this late.
Time to head to school.
***
“Ugh, seriously…”
Gaon Academy places immense importance on physical fitness.
A Hero’s stamina is the nation’s strength, or so they say.
That’s why there’s a tradition of conducting surprise fitness tests once a month.
For every grade, without fail.
This was also a system put in place by the original work to ensure no one slacked off on physical training.
I had assumed that this month’s fitness test had already passed while I was hospitalized.
So I’d been relieved…
But no.
Today was ‘that’ day.
Sweat dripped down in streams, and my breathing hadn’t fully steadied yet.
On fitness test days, there were no classes.
Not just classes—Gaon canceled ‘all’ schedules.
Meaning today’s mentor-mentee session was scrapped.
The electronic display board updated in real time with today’s rankings.
[Jung Haein – 3rd Place]
Third in the entire first year.
Physical fitness wasn’t just important to Gaon.
The old man had been thorough in that regard too, so I’d never neglected my training.
Plus, I’d been running with Yu Hana every morning, so there was no way I’d lose my edge.
One by one, students staggered off the track and up into the stands.
Without exception, they either collapsed onto the ground or grumbled curses at Gaon.
Kang Arin and Yu Hana had taken 1st and 2nd place, respectively.
Somehow, the two had already disappeared.
Probably went to shower first—they must’ve been drenched in sweat. Seemed like they’d headed straight to the dorms after finishing.
And just now, Sion, gasping for breath, climbed up into the stands.
I walked over and spoke to her.
“Good work.”
“Thanks… But don’t come too close, I’m all sweaty…”
Sion grimaced, then smiled faintly as she took a step back.
And with that, she disappeared toward the dorms.
I scanned the area again.
Come to think of it, one face was missing…
“Where’s Cheon Yeoul?”
Obvious.
She must’ve slipped away the moment she realized what was happening.
Unforgivable. If I caught her, she was getting a flick on the forehead as punishment—
Then, from the far end of the track, I spotted someone trudging forward at a sluggish pace.
Staggering steps.
Drooping shoulders.
A drenched gym uniform.
Yoon Chae-ha.
Her hair clung to her forehead, her clothes completely soaked with sweat.
Yet she had walked to the very end.
For a moment, I was stunned.
Aside from Joo Seo-jun, every member of the Kalos delegation had dropped out.
Even Joo Seo-jun had placed outside the top 10.
It couldn’t be helped. It made sense.
Mages had poor stamina, and Kalos was a magic-specialized academy.
But she hadn’t given up.
Slow but steady, she’d completed the course and was now climbing into the stands.
Through the strands of hair plastered to her forehead, her gaze burned.
Our eyes met.
Her breathing was still ragged, her lips parched, but her eyes blazed with ferocious intensity.
I could ‘feel’ the scorching glare.
Seemed like yesterday’s defeat had lit a fire in her.
Knowing her personality, she’d probably barely slept.
Perfect timing.
Now I had a good excuse to take her to the Association this weekend.
“You really pushed yourself.”
I walked over to her.
Yoon Chae-ha gave a small nod, still gasping for air.
Then she slumped against the stands as if collapsing.
Steam practically rose from her overheated body.
Sweat trickled down from her forehead, tracing her cheeks.
I chuckled and sat beside her.
“Rest for a bit.”
That was all she needed to hear.
She’d go even harder from now on.
Even if I did nothing, she’d obsessively push herself further.
Thanks to the fitness test, all classes and exchange battle team meetings were canceled.
Effectively, today was a free day—no more schedules.
Then, Yoon Chae-ha, who had been silently cooling down, suddenly opened her eyes slightly.
“Tonight… can you… mentor me… a little…?”
Before she could even finish, her eyes closed again.
“Hah.”
Seemed like Yoon Chae-ha’s fighting spirit had truly ignited.
***
Late Evening. The training hall was quiet.
Thanks to Gaon’s surprise fitness test, all the students had retreated to rest.
Cheon Yeoul walked across the empty training grounds.
At the far end, from a private room, the sound of repeated explosions leaked out.
A familiar sensation tugged at her memories.
A scene surfaced in her mind—
The same training hall, the same mentor, only the student was different.
“…Sung Siwoo.”
Jung Haein had looked at the young man and spoken.
“Like this… no one can win.”
His firm voice cut through the training hall.
Sung Siwoo was cornered, desperate.
Because of the Apostles, they had lost Vanquisher, and the weight of their enemies’ strength pressed down on them.
So Haein had no choice but to push Sung Siwoo even harder, clinging to him as their last hope.
But in response to his warning, Sung Siwoo scoffed.
“What exactly is the problem here?”
He raised his head and met Haein’s gaze.
“I am strong enough.”
And it was true—he had held his own against Yohan in a recent spar.
Sung Siwoo believed he had grown, drunk on his own confidence.
Only Haein was burning with frustration.
But Sung Siwoo had no way of understanding his urgency.
“I appreciate all the advice… but don’t cross the line.”
He raised his sword and pointed it at Haein.
“Honestly? I’ll probably surpass you soon anyway.”
Haein stared at him with lifeless eyes.
As always, he must have been reflecting on his own mistakes first.
‘Was I too impatient?’
‘Was I forcing him?’
‘Was my way wrong?’
And just like before, he would have blamed himself again.
“…Ungrateful bastard.”
Cheon Yeoul gritted her teeth.
Her clenched fists trembled hard enough to draw blood.
He had always sacrificed himself.
And so—now, the scene repeating beyond the training hall grated on her nerves.
If, by any chance, this girl showed even a hint of the same behavior…
If she proved to be of no help…
She would cut her down without hesitation.
Just like that bastard.
Because Haein was too kind, too forgiving.
This was her role—Cheon Yeoul’s.
Silently, she peered through the training hall’s walls—a skill she had regained after the final battle against the Apostles.
And she saw it.
The shattered walls, the deep gashes carved into the floor, and at the center—a girl kneeling, gasping for breath.
Yoon Chae-ha.
She braced herself on her knees, chest heaving.
Haein checked his watch, then spoke.
“You’ve worked hard today. The fitness test must’ve drained you—let’s call it here.”
A tone neither firm nor yielding.
As always, his way of respecting the other person.
Yoon Chae-ha slumped to the ground.
After steadying her breath, she spoke.
“If… you don’t mind… I want to keep going…”
Cheon Yeoul’s brow twitched.
Yoon Chae-ha’s eyes had been burning crimson this whole time.
She watched closely for Haein’s reaction.
He lowered his head slightly, rubbing his chin.
‘Ah…’
Cheon Yeoul knew.
That gesture was a habit of his—when he was satisfied.
And more than that.
From an angle Yoon Chae-ha couldn’t see, he was smiling.
‘He’s happy.’
He—
Jung Haein was happy.
“…Hah.”
Cheon Yeoul exhaled slowly.
The blue flicker in her eyes faded.
There was no need to watch any further.
“Well…”
Sion’s words came to mind.
‘She’s a little different, don’t you think?’
She was right.
At first, She had doubted it—refused to believe it until she saw for herself.
But what she just witnessed… was undeniably different.
Even from a brief glance, she could tell.
‘I’ll admit it.’
Yoon Chae-ha was not like Sung Siwoo.
Cheon Yeoul lowered her head quietly.
Then, slowly, she turned and walked away from the training hall.
