The training for the frontier cities in Wangdue began.

　After a brief greeting from the Central Agency's Frontier Bureau Inspector Grandonats'
Then we'll begin the test immediately, shall we?
　On the signal of the grand-nut, the question papers are handed out to all participants.
'Time limit is one hour, then let's begin.
　The exam started with almost no explanation.

　Well, I had heard about this exam when I received the information beforehand, so I wasn't surprised at all.
'You're testing me all of a sudden, I'm not listening...'
　And one person is mumbling about it.

　I can tell by the voice it's the next lord of Urinacombe, Riknas.
　I mean, didn't you hear it when you received the materials?

　It was a fairly loud murmur, and I could feel the people around me chuckling unconsciously.

　As expected, this was not good.
　The groundnut gave a deliberate coughing fit.
　Hearing this, everyone hurriedly closed their mouths.

　Soon, the inside of the lecture room became quiet.


　The content of the exam, as we had heard beforehand, was mostly questions about what was described in the reference books and materials.
　I had read through everything, so I didn't feel it was that difficult, but I was fed up with the large number of questions....

　Somehow I managed to fill in all the answer boxes.
Mm, it's time, then.
　The grand-nut shouted, and at the same time the attendants collected the answer sheets.

　I looked around.
What do you think?　Did you get it?
No, I could barely fill up half of it.
　A young group of people talking in a light-hearted way, such as.......perhaps those were students.
　It felt like there were two groups in existence: such a group, and a group that was looking over the remaining stack of question papers again.

　After the collection of the answer sheets was finished, the groundnut
Then you will be graded. We'll divide you into groups based on the results.
　As he said this, he left the room.
　Then one of the remaining attendants moved to the stage and said
"There will now be a 30-minute break. During this time you are free to do what you please, but you are not allowed to leave this Central Agency Frontier Bureau building. At the same time, please take your seats five minutes before.
　As he said this, the attendant was staring at Riknas.
　Rikunas was smiling bitterly, as if he looked very bummed out, but the way he looked made the audience burst into laughter.
　What can I say, I think Riknas was well remembered by all of the participants today... well, not in a good way, that is.

'Oh no, I'm overwhelmed, all of a sudden an exam and all.
　Riknas and I were talking outside the hall, and the first thing Riknas said at the opening was that he laughed.
　I chuckled.
Didn't you ask them when you got your file?
　having said that
Yeah, I was just overwhelmed by the sheer volume of material.
　Riknas laughed at that.
　It was strange to hear that story, because it seemed somewhat like him.

　Just.

''We're both being trained as frontier city trainers to become frontier city lords... let's get that part right.
　Yes, I told her with a wry smile, but I wasn't sure how much of that was understood.


　Soon after, 30 minutes passed
　Grandonut returned to the room.

　The granddonut nodded with satisfaction, making sure they were all in the room.
Now, the top five finishers are announced. I want all those who have been called up to stand.
　As he said this, Grandonut coughed lightly with a piece of paper in hand and began to read the contents.

'First place, a hundred ... a perfect score, Kiristic.
　Amidst a bit of a buzz in the hall, a neutral looking man stood up quickly.
　I could hear what sounded like a sigh from some of the women.
　
　He's apparently a candidate for lord of the Amazocombe, which is quite a bit further south.

'Second place, 96 points Riknas.
　The whole room began to buzz tremendously at this announcement.
　It would be.
　It would be harder to tell him not to be upset that he was called in here after he'd suddenly jumped in on the verge of being late, or that he'd forgotten he had an exam to take.
　Such was the case with Riknas, who was making a peace sign to me.
　Although I don't feel too much of a dislike for him because he has that personality, I was slightly disappointed to lose, so.......

Third place, 95 points Gossage.
　This is where my name was called.
　Somehow, rather than feeling proud, I was more relieved that I had been called.
　He stood up and lifted his head as everyone applauded him.

Fourth place, 92 points for Melanesia.
　It was a small girl with glasses who stood up amidst the applause.
　The girl, who seemed to be a student, was bowing her head in fear, and was bowing to the crowd.

Fifth place, 90 points........Gabozh.
　Amidst the applause, a rather tall man stood up.
　From his height of nearly three meters, he must be half subhuman.
　With an embarrassed blush on his cheeks, he bowed and stood there, moping around in place.

　And
　After announcing his fifth-place finish, Grandonut cleared his throat once.
Those of you seated at the table have all failed to score a 90.
　Listen, tomorrow morning we will retest the test.
　Those of you who did not score over 90 points will be sent home.
　As he said that, Grandonut left the room, just like before.

　At those words, the hall was filled with a collective groan.

　It would be.
　Of the 20-plus participants, all but five were retested.
　If you don't score more than 90 on that exam, they won't let you take the training....

　In the midst of this groan, an attendant came up to the stage again
Those of you who are currently standing, the five of you who are standing, please remain here.
　All of you who are not, please reconvene in this hall tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m. ... and then leave.
　That's what he told everyone.

　In response to these words.
　Those who were treated as disqualified left the venue in a self-conscious manner.
　They will probably study hard until tomorrow morning....
　You're giving them a hearty shout-out.
Now, all five of you, please gather in front of me.
　At the voice of the attendant, we gathered around the stage.
'Congratulations on your decision to participate in the frontier city training program, everyone.
　The training will start tomorrow morning at ten o'clock at this venue. All of you who have passed the retest will be joining us from there, so please keep that in mind.
　As he said this, the attendant handed us a gold plate.
The attendant hands us a gold plate, "During your training, please wear this plate at all times. It will serve as your identification.
　When I checked the contents, my name and the name of my city were inscribed firmly on it.
''Now, please take the training materials for the week starting tomorrow to the back of the room and take them home.
　The attendant tells us to turn around and we turn around

　There were stacks of materials, as large as the amount of materials from the other day's advance, piled up in a pile, each one divided for its own use.

''........Eh?　That's a week's worth?
　I couldn't help but notice that Riknas was screaming at me.
Yes, it is.
　The attendant responded to it with a sly smile.
　To such an attendant's response, Riknas
Oh, come on. Really?
　I was muttering to myself.

　For once, I'm sure the other four, including me, all felt the same way as Riknas.

◇ ◇ ◇.

　Everyone had just finished storing their stacks of documents in their magic bags.
Hey, since we're here. Why don't we get a bite to eat?
　So Riknas calls out to everyone.
　I really want to learn from this positive attitude of Riknas.
Yes, it's a good idea.
　I showed my approval while saying that.
　Kiristic gave such an overtly hostile expression to Riknas
I don't think so.
　After saying that, he quickly left the room.
　
　I was often stunned by such a situation of Kiristic, but
　Once again, the four of us decided to go out to dinner.