The Third Act Emerges
As I mentioned last time, countless trials await us ahead—hardships and ordeals that might break us, bend us, fill us with sorrow and fear. That's precisely why we must press on.
Summer had ended, and classes resumed. With the full academic schedule kicking back into gear, the atmosphere at Salenium Academy hung heavier than ever. No one said it outright, but everyone felt it. From the overcast sky that stubbornly refused to clear despite the arrival of autumn after the late summer heat, to the recent surge in students returning from expeditions gravely injured.
Students I'd seen last semester were nowhere to be found. Classrooms that once brimmed with bodies now showed empty seats. The infirmary groaned under the weight of the wounded, yet poor commoners still picked up their weapons and headed out on expeditions. Tuition deadlines fell on the last weekday after the start of term, leaving them no choice.
"Hm."
Today, too, a group of commoners set out, fully armed and resolute. Their expressions, as they left the dorms with weapons in hand, carried a grim determination. I watched from the window, then turned away.
In this situation, sitting idle was the mark of an utter fool. But the starting point of Act 3, Chapter 1 was completely random right after classes began—even a rotten veteran like me couldn't pinpoint exactly when it kicked off. Monster appearances shifted one by one. That was merely a precursor signaling the third act's approach, not a direct hint.
Thus, the best course was to lay out all my cards, prepare for every contingency, and stay ready for variables.
I'd sent a note to Reina, then had Pavela look into it, but nothing significant turned up. Above all...
"...Has time come this quickly already?"
I had classes too. I rose, donned my autumn uniform instead of summer wear, buttoned my jacket, straightened my tie, took up my cane, and left the dorm room.
And that's when I saw her.
"Hm?"
"S-S-Senpai? Wh-Why are you here right now...?"
Beige hair in twin tails, a slime cat perched on her shoulder. My one and only spirit summoner underclassman.
"...Millije?"
"W-Weren't you heading to class?"
"My classes got moved to the afternoon. But... what are you wearing?"
"Oh, it's nothing..."
Yeah, right, nothing.
A robe over her uniform, staff in hand, potions at her waist, even a dagger. No way that was the outfit of someone heading to class inside the academy.
"S-Senpai..."
"Millije. I want to hear the details. Why are you dressed like that?"
"Well..."
"If you don't speak quickly, I might just be disappointed in you."
"Eek... I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."
She sniffled, bowing her head.
"Tuition... I-I'm a little short... I thought Nero and I could hunt goblins in the West Forest..."
...So that's it.
"Millije, didn't I tell you three days ago to let me know in advance if you had to go out?"
"B-But I've already caused you so much trouble..."
This girl.
I walked over, placed my hand on her head, and gently stroked her hair.
"Millije, the trouble you cause me is nothing. Relying on your senpai is a junior's duty, isn't it?"
And besides, hadn't I decided to raise her myself? Then the responsibility fell to me.
"First, go change out of those clothes."
"...Yes."
Tuition, huh. Did I have money to spare?
* * *
In the end, Millije changed back into her uniform. I silently led the dejected girl to the student council's underground payment window.
The deadline for second semester tuition was the last weekday of the starting week. Even with pre-registered courses, no payment meant no classes. They might overlook one semester's delay, but two meant immediate expulsion—out of the dorms, pack your bags, and head home.
We drew a number, waited, and when called, approached the window together.
"Next! Ah, who's paying tuition today?"
"Her."
"Understood. Millije Heilo... You're more than halfway delinquent, can you pay today?"
...More than half?
...She said it was just a little.
I glanced at Millije; she hung her head low.
"Millije."
"I'm sorry..."
Ha... really.
"If it's more than half, how much more do I need to pay?"
"Two-thirds of the total."
Two-thirds... meaning she'd only paid one-third.
Fine.
"Then, can I pay up through next semester right now?"
"S-Senpai? That's..."
"Quiet."
I shot a glare at the startled Millije, then pulled out several dragon scales, one basilisk fang, and three low-grade enhancement stones from my inventory, placing them down one by one.
At current rates, field boss byproducts like enhancement stones fetched high prices. Tuition could be paid in cash or monster parts from expeditions.
The student council attendant's eyes widened briefly, then wavered at the sight.
"Th-These premium items cover you through next semester."
"Good. Make it so."
"Yes. Millije Heilo, second-year first semester paid in full, plus first-year second semester. Come back before second-year second semester."
"Ah... uh."
"That's what she said. Let's go, Millije."
I half-dragged the trembling, bowed girl out of the student council building.
On the way to the entrance...
"?"
A purple-haired girl brushed past me. Armband on her sleeve—student council. It had been a while: Magic Division vice-top, Daisy von Shukros.
But she passed the first-floor student council desk and headed underground to the tuition window.
...What's going on?
...Wasn't Daisy von Shukros from the eastern region's second-ranked noble house? Why would she need to pay tuition?
But her figure soon vanished into the crowd, forcing me to look away.
* * *
Phew. Tough work.
Consoling a crying kid was no joke.
"I-I'm sorry, senpai... Sniff, I lied, and you hunted those monster parts yourself... All because I'm so useless."
"Not at all."
"I'm sorry. To trouble you this much, I..."
"Millije, look at me properly."
Her tear-soaked eyes looked up.
"I told you when we met: I need you. That hasn't changed. Wherever my path leads, you must stand by my side."
"...Yes."
"But if you're on the verge of expulsion over something trivial like unpaid tuition, of course I'd save you. This is my responsibility—you needn't worry."
Basilisk? If I get bored, I can storm in and punch it out again. Bosses respawn endlessly. One fang wouldn't bankrupt me.
"But..."
This girl, really.
"If it bothers you that much."
"Y-Yes."
"Raise your grades. Yes—aim for vice-top in second-year first semester. Top and vice-top get full tuition waivers, right? Even refunds if paid early. If so, return the refund to me. Consider it repayment. How's that?"
"...I'll do my absolute best! I really..."
"Stop crying first. Want something to eat? My treat."
I'd skipped one class, but... whatever. A cherished junior versus class? No contest.
* * *
Lunchtime aligned perfectly, so we wandered the central district, eating delicious food. I bought her a big plushie from a shop; she nearly cried again, so I reminded her to aim for vice-top or better and sent her to class.
Second-years could slack, but first-years needed to attend properly. Then I went to my own classes. Liberal arts in the morning were fine, but skipping majors was risky.
Evening came, and on the way back to the dorm, I caught sight in the square.
A group holding posters with sketched faces shouted at passersby.
"Excuse me! Have you seen this person?!"
"We're looking for someone! They haven't returned!"
"If you've seen them, we'll reward you generously..."
Three missing students. In Salenium, expedition-goers vanishing and loved ones pleading like this was common.
But these three were different. They were the trigger for Act 3, Chapter 1 proper.
It's starting, huh. Good. I'd prepared petrification crystals and more.
Wait.
"...Why?"
Originally, three vanished: two men, one woman. I'd memorized names and faces, even tasked Reina to watch them on expeditions.
But the portraits on the posters...
...weren't the originals.
"...What."
And then.
"Adrian! Adrian, are you here?!"
Merin Dorm's main gate nearly burst open as she burst in. Black hair, jade eyes. She'd sprinted from afar—uniform disheveled, hair a mess, forehead slick with sweat.
Spotting me, she rushed over, seized my arm, and blurted,
"B-Big trouble, Adrian! ...D-Daisy von Shukros is missing!"
What?
"...What did you say?"
"She skipped all her classes today... Not in her dorm either. Her... faction says she mentioned heading to the eastern jungle region briefly with trusted people..."
No way.
...Impossible. I saw her at the tuition window earlier...
Right? She was eastern region's second-in-command noble. Eldest daughter and heir—no tuition issues.
Ah.
—I lost to Wolfgang. The top seat I guarded became hers. I'll be a stain on my house, defeated by my rival Wolfgang.
So that's it.
I grabbed her arm and pulled.
"A-Adrian?!"
"Reina, let's go."
"Wh-Where to?"
Where else.
"The eastern jungle region."
"Huh? What?"
Act 3, Chapter 1. Its backdrop had finally surfaced.