After leaving the magical city, I was heading home as planned.
　Flying in the sky.

　I've learned flight magic, so I have no choice but to use it.
　It's also much faster than driving a carriage around the city streets.

　It's not only the simple speed, but also the ability to go straight ahead is significant.
　Since the city road bypasses forests and mountains along the way, the distance traveled is inevitably increased by that amount.
　If you fly through the sky, you can even pass through unbridged rivers.

　This would only take about a tenth of the time it would take to get there.

''........Hm?　It's a city.

　I spot a city up ahead.
　Since I don't remember, it's probably the city I didn't stop by on my way out.
　It's a small city compared to a magical city, but it's still protected by a fine wall, and has a population of a few thousand people.

　Since it's a good time, I decided to stop by.
　I'm starting to feel hungry, and I want to eat.
　I have plenty of food, but I'm getting tired of preserving it all.

　Landing.
　Most cities charge an entrance fee.
　You might not have to pay it if you entered the city by air, but that's certainly not going to happen. It's not like I'm in a money crunch.

''Hmm. You have two gates.

　I stopped dead in my tracks.
　Both gates were probably set up to enter the city.
　But their construction was different.

　The one is a magnificent one, beautifully arched, as if dozens of people could pass through it in a row.
　The ceiling was also high, and upon closer inspection, the walls were beautifully carved.

　The other was so cramped that if two people tried to pass through at the same time, their shoulders would bump into each other.
　The ceiling was low, and if you were tall enough, you might have to bend over.
　There was no decoration, just a shabby rectangular hole dug in the ground.

　In both cases, there was a screening process for entrance, but the more respectable gate was empty and people were walking through the gate in a hurry.
　There seemed to be no need to wait in line.

　On the contrary, there was a line at the shabby gate.

I guess I'll have to choose one.

　I head to the gates of the respectable one.
　But why bother standing in line?

　Then the gate guard stopped me.

'Are you a traveler?'
Yeah, but,
'Then you'll have to pay for admission. What's your occupation?

　I don't know why they ask me what I do for a living all of a sudden.
　I don't mind answering the question, but it's very impolite.
　As I was wondering.

If you can't answer, you can't enter the city. Oh, and false declaration is a felony.
A felony?　That's about it?
This is that kind of city.

　Hmm.
　If you don't answer the question, it's no use.

Unemployed.

　When I told him that, the gate guard looked stunned for a moment.

...Is that true?
Really. I can show you the certificate if you want.
'No, it's not necessary as you'll be appraised on entry anyway.

　Why do they even bother asking for an appraisal to enter a city?
　It's a big deal, but it's probably to prevent criminals from staying in the city.

If you want to get into the city, you have to go through the gates over there.

　Saying that, the gatekeeper pointed to the shabby-looking gate.

''The other gate seems to be more open?
'I can't get in from there, I'm afraid. I don't mind going over there, but I'll just get chased away and have to do it twice.
Really?

　It's odd, but it doesn't sound like you're lying.
　And I don't think it's a good idea to lie about this stuff.

'I won't say anything worse than that. This won't be a comfortable city for you. If you can, I suggest you find another city. .... though if you still insist, you can do what you want.

　The gatekeeper said that advisably and left.
　What did he mean by that?

　Well, it's no use thinking about it.
　I was rather curious, so I stood in line for the shabby gate as I was told.

　Because of the fact that each and every one of the entrants are being appraised, it is difficult to go forward.
　It seems that they are using a magic tool called an appraisal tool, but this is a rare magic tool.
　The larger gate has more than one, but this one seems to have only one.

　After waiting for about forty minutes, your turn finally comes around.

''I will appraise you about your profession.
Yeah.
.........this is.......

　The examiner gasps when he sees the results of the appraisal.
　Then he snorted, "Huh.

Then here's the short-stay card. The price of admission is three silver coins.

　I pay the admission fee while taking my card.
　I looked at the card carefully and saw that it had the words "Short Term Visitor" (Grade 6) written on it.

What is this grade?
'It's like status in this city. There is always a grading system in place, even for short-term visitors.

　It's an odd system, I thought, as I ducked through the narrow gate and entered the city.

　From the looks of it, it's a very ordinary city.
　However, many people were looking down and walking down the street as if they were scared of something.
　On the other hand, there is a person who is cutting the wind with the shoulder like a very arrogant person.

　I have the impression that it's a bit of a hiccup.
　It's hard to believe they are residents of the same city.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work. The devil's best city in the world.

　Matty was muttering something fun.

　I walked off, trying to find a restaurant for now.

　I soon find a restaurant.
　It's small and neat, and seems to be rather popular with the female demographic.

　I was hungry, and I didn't care where.
　With that in mind, I decided on this restaurant, and as I walked in

'Oh?　Sixth grade?　No, no, no. We only allow third grade and above.

　They kicked me out.

'Gahhahahaha, you're getting kicked out of the gate--geez!

　I mutter, clutching Matty's torso.

''........There are restrictions on entry based on grade?''