Wherever You Go, There Are Slackers! (▽)
After they arrived in the magical city of Äußerst, the mage Übel immediately said her goodbyes and left. Fern and Frieren then headed to the Mage Association together to ask about the First-Class Mage exam and the requirements for signing up.
Annie and Elaina didn't go with them. They stayed in the carriage instead.
They had parked it beside a lakeside embankment in Äußerst. The view was beautiful, and it kept them away from some of the city's unnecessary noise and bustle.
Naturally, inside the carriage—in the same spacious, comfortable living room that felt like a mansion on wheels—Annie and Elaina did whatever suited them: one caught up on sleep, while the other admired the scenery. They stayed there until Fern and Frieren finished their first visit to the Mage Association and returned.
And now?
"..."
At that very moment, Fern hurried back and stood in the middle of the living room, facing Elaina and Annie, who were lounging in various positions. Her expression was a mixture of solemnity and a trace of barely concealed schadenfreude.
Then she cleared her throat and began her report:
"Ahem!"
"I'll explain the situation now."
Having successfully drawn Annie and Elaina's attention, Fern began formally reporting the results of their visit:
"Lady Frieren and I have made some initial inquiries and found out about the First-Class Mage exam and the requirements for signing up."
As she spoke, she raised one finger and continued with a serious expression:
"First!"
"The First-Class Mage exam is only held once every three years!"
She took special care to emphasize the three-year interval, as if she thought it was very important.
"And the next exam..."
"Is in one month!"
"In other words, we don't have much time to prepare."
Before Annie or