Act 3: The Forgotten Eastern Jungle
Salenium Academy is the dream academy everyone yearns to enter, but at its core, it's nothing more than a military training ground. Once you're in, aside from the barest basics, no support is provided. Only a select few in the top ranks enjoy privileges, while millions of ordinary students must fend for their own survival. Even if 'accidents' happen, professors only handle cleanup—no further intervention. Leaving incidents and events to the students alone is one of the rules set directly by the founding emperor himself.
Only those who can prepare for every mishap and survive through countless sieves become talents useful to the empire—or so the rationale goes. It's a place where lives vanish like discarded rags, yet it remains the empire's premier academy. That's probably why, next semester too, millions will still knock on its gates.
...And so begins Act 3 of the main story in that sense. In the original, Act 3 was truly revolting, horrific, and a total shitshow. Salenium Saga is indeed a bright, lively game. That's why Act 3 starkly spotlights the academy's 'dark side.'
The trigger is simple. Three students, short on cash for tuition, head out on a half-day expedition to a 'certain location.' They don't return even by late evening. Up to here, it's just a common mishap like getting lost. But then a bizarre rumor spreads across the entire academy.
"People who went exploring that certain location aren't coming back. And when I looked into it after hearing the rumor, no one had actually returned."
"...Ah, that. Yes, I heard before coming here. From the last week of break until this morning... no one who went into the eastern jungle zone has returned. Not a single one... It's strange, isn't it? Why didn't anyone find it odd? Even I, who should suspect and verify all information... This is a disgrace to Wolfgang."
"It's not your fault, Reina."
Of course. Because this whole affair is the demons' doing. If they've cast their tricks over the entire exploration field, erasing one 'location' from everyone's consciousness is child's play. The student council and Reina overlooking the 'east' was likely because the demon had woven consciousness-control magic around it.
"What an utterly repulsive feeling."
Demons never make direct contact yet stay intimately linked—denying it upfront but aiding each other behind the scenes. Exploration fields, disappearances, consciousness control: probably three different demons involved. I desperately pieced together the puzzle. The Scorching Desert claimed lives or injured explorers, while everyone who entered the 'eastern jungle zone' vanished without a trace. In Act 3 Chapter 1, you couldn't confirm the background field no matter what until it 'began.'
"Reina, has the student council mobilized?"
"Yes, a search party... to the 'eastern jungle zone' we're heading to now."
"When was that?"
"Two hours ago."
I see. The plot unfolds like this. Amid a string of 'monster habitat' incidents, attention initially fixates on 'one region.' Then, rumors of 'no returnees' suddenly thrust a 'neglected, quiet region' into the spotlight. The student council infers something related to the current situation lurks there and dispatches a search party. Plug in the real events, and the answer assembles naturally.
Monsters driven from their habitats cause casualties and disappearances across all fields. By drawing eyes to the 'southern Scorching Desert,' the 'eastern jungle zone' gets buried relatively. With 'all preparations' complete, the demons deliberately spread rumors to lure the 'student council' there. Truly insidious.
And now, someone as main-character-tier as Daisy von Shukros is tangled in it. I can guess why. I propelled Reina von Wolfgang, the perennial runner-up, to year-top far faster than in the original. Thus, the original topper, Daisy von Shukros, naturally got bumped down. Bearing the shame of defeat to her generational rival house Wolfgang, her family's tuition and support funds were cut off.
Left penniless, Daisy von Shukros had no choice but to risk life-threatening expeditions for money. I hadn't anticipated things twisting this way. As the saying goes, Daisy von Shukros is a key figure in the 'east.' If she's on my side, the 'east' would likely side with me too. Too valuable a talent to lose here.
"Act 3, Chapter 1."
Act 3 covers the events sparked by protagonist Erhan joining the 'student council direct search team' as described. But Erhan alone can't clear Act 3 with his current specs. His gear is insufficient—slightly, no, severely—for challenging the jungle zone. No reason not to go.
I raced with Reina to the east gate and plunged straight into the jungle.
"Adrian, is this okay? Just the two of us..."
"No time, no other way. And... I've got this."
At those words, she smiled lightly.
"Right, you've got this. No need to worry at all, then."
We leaped swamps, slashed obscuring branches, and ran. Amid the deep shadows of the jungle, wingbeats and eerie cries echoed. Reina and I charged through—while nameless things tightened their encirclement around us. That's why we never let go of each other's gripped hands.
"One question, Reina."
"Yes."
"...Aren't you competing with Daisy for top spot? Bluntly... wouldn't ignoring the Shukros lady benefit you more?"
"That's... a different matter."
I saw her clench her fist.
"You can't compare a life to top or runner-up. Daisy von Shukros picks fights constantly, bursts into tears out of nowhere, and is annoying in every way... but she recognizes her shortcomings and strives endlessly to improve. Ignoring someone like that in crisis just to cling to top spot? That's no pride, no honor."
I see. Truly... a partner-worthy answer that draws a smile unbidden.
"I understand. Even if you lose top spot someday, no regrets?"
"Oh? Think I'll lose?"
True that. Even without drawing her staff, her chantless magic incinerated the incoming Giant Mosquitoes behind us pitch-black.
"...But if I slack from arrogance over top spot, and Daisy hones her skills to surpass me again? I'd have to accept it as natural."
Yes. Truly...
"A fine answer. Befitting Wolfgang's next head."
"Hehe, is it?"
"Mm, look ahead. We're here."
Shouts and clash of combat. Figures surrounded by swarms of insect monsters came into view.
"Looks like a troublesome situation."
"You know what to do, right?"
"Of course."
Reina drew her staff; I gripped mine. We kicked off the ground simultaneously, soaring into the sky.
Time for a flashy entrance.
Erhan gripped his greatsword's hilt tightly. Before him swarmed countless insect monsters—too many to count. Cold sweat beaded, but he steadied his quaking resolve.
I absolutely cannot fall here.
"Erhan, cover the rear... Ngh, didn't expect monsters to swarm like this. My oversight."
"No, Lien-senpai. We'll definitely survive."
"Grateful even for words. Good call recruiting you for the search team."
He nodded, backs together, facing the horde. This might be his end. But...
I can't die meekly here. Not when I haven't avenged anything yet!
"...Now! Search team, charge my way! Break one path through! We will survive!"
At the leader's command, Erhan unleashed his surging mana. His heart throbbed; omnipotence stronger than ever enveloped him. Don't get drunk on power. As he vowed and lunged at the monsters—
Suddenly, a voice rang from above.
"Unless it's a seven-headed hydra or an undead where you must sever the soul, not flesh—striking vitals delivers a fatal blow to monsters. Insects especially; their durability is abysmal."
"Oh? Is that so?"
At the abrupt voices, all looked skyward—and gasped.
The dense swarm encircling them parted to reveal the faint sky. A man plummeted vertically from it. And beside him, back-to-back, a woman fell too—nocking a massive lightning arrow.
The man with radiant golden hair fluttering; the woman with jet-black locks like night...
They looked familiar...
"A-Adrian and Wolfgang-senpai?!"
Amid Erhan's shock, the man swung his long staff. Torrents like a storm poured from the heavens.
"Firing! Everyone, protect yourselves!"
Protect how?! Erhan hastily raised his greatsword as shield, wrapping himself in mana. Then—a single bolt flashed.
The sky-fired lightning arrow struck ground, erupting in deafening thunder that drowned the area in light. An indescribable strike.
"...What."
Clearing his sword, he turned. Two attacks had annihilated every insect there. No corpses left—not even wings or compound eyes; all reduced to impartial ash.
Over the blackened powder blanketing the earth, a man and woman wreathed in wind descended slowly. The long staff tapped ground; the sharp-eyed man spoke.
"Fortunately, we weren't too late."
A truly heroic entrance.
Hm. Perfectly timed intervention. In the original, Erhan unleashes the Hero Sword properly to slaughter them all at once... but with Daisy von Shukros's issue derailing Act 3 from canon, better save his Hero Sword.
Brushing powder from my uniform, someone approached. Navy ponytail, equipped with massive spear and shield—a woman. Unlike other student council members' armbands, hers bore a badge on her chest.
"Y-You..."
"Student council search team leader, Lien Pritria. I'm Adrian; this is Reina von Wolfgang."
"Y-Yes... I see. Thank you for the rescue..."
"Sorry, but no time for pleasantries. We move now. Increase advance speed. Destination: central entrance."
"...P-Pardon?"
"Explanation later. Prioritize moving."
Anyway. We hold dialogue control. Having saved their lives, they can't refuse us.
"Move as fast as possible—the later we are, the more casualties."
Right. No time—let's go. I'll explain en route. Okay?