As planned, we finished changing and met in front of the station, then took the train to the station nearest to the Association branch. Even on a weekday, the branch was bustling with a fair number of explorers. While their primary activity was dungeon diving, a certain amount of administrative paperwork was unavoidable. Given the current dungeon boom, this level of activity was only to be expected.
We were only here to apply for a preliminary investigation, but I had a feeling this might take some time.
"For now, let's ask the general reception which counter we need. It’ll be faster than wandering around aimlessly."
"Good idea. To be honest, I have no clue where to go. We hardly ever come here."
"It's probably on the second floor, don't you think?" Hiiragi-san suggested. "The first floor seems to mostly handle things like issuing and renewing Armed Exploration Permits for Special Underground Structures..."
As I glanced at the first-floor counters, which were swamped with explorers handling their paperwork, I silently prayed that Hiiragi-san was right. If we had to dive into that mob and wait our turn, there was no telling how long it would take. I could only hope that even if the second floor was busy, it wouldn't be quite that bad.
With that in mind, I approached the woman at the general information desk.
"Excuse me. I have a quick question, if you don't mind."
"Yes, how can I help you?"
"I’d like to apply for a preliminary investigation for setting up a training ground on private property. Which counter should I use?"
"Checking... Oh! My apologies. For applications regarding the establishment of a training ground, please proceed to the reception counter on the second floor. If you state your business there, a representative will assist you."
When I first stated my business, the receptionist looked momentarily confused, as if she didn't quite register the request. However, as soon as it clicked, she looked slightly flustered and offered a polite apology and a bow while giving me the directions.
True to Hiiragi-san’s prediction, the department we needed was on the second floor. I just hoped it was less crowded.
"She said the second-floor reception. Good, we won't have to fight our way through that crowd down here."
"Right. We know where we're going, so let's move."
"Yes. If we take much longer, our train back will land us right in the middle of the evening rush."
Hiiragi-san frowned, looking clearly displeased at the prospect of a packed train. She glanced toward the stairs, urging us to hurry. I felt the same; I wanted to avoid a crowded commute for a variety of reasons.
We climbed the stairs, leaving the chaotic first floor behind as we headed for the designated counter.
The second floor was much quieter than I’d anticipated, and we found the reception desk immediately. It seemed that very few people were actually making these kinds of applications yet.
Then again, one could technically apply online.
"Excuse me, could I ask you about something?"
"Yes, what can I do for you?"
The young man behind the counter looked briefly suspicious when I spoke to him, but he quickly smoothed his expression into a professional smile. I suppose it was rare to see student explorers with business on this floor. It was likely an unusual case for him.
"I’d like to inquire about the application for a permit to set up a private training ground where skill use is allowed..."
"Huh? Er, oh, excuse me. You mean setting up a training ground with a skill use permit?"
The staff member’s bewilderment returned, and he double-checked as if to ensure he hadn't misheard me.
"Yes. We’re planning to establish our own training ground. I saw on the Association’s website that a preliminary investigation can be conducted before the formal application. Since we're considering the purchase of the land, we wanted to confirm whether the site would actually be eligible for skill use before we commit."
"I-I see... One moment, please. I’ll go fetch the person in charge."
Still looking dazed, the man gave us a quick bow and hurried off to find a representative. I suppose it wasn't every day that students showed up to buy land for a training ground. In fact, it probably never happened.
A short while later—less than five minutes, actually—the staff member returned with a middle-aged man who looked both confused and slightly annoyed.
"Thank you for waiting. This is Nohara-san from the Private Training Facility Management Section."
"I'm Nohara. Hello."
"I'm Kokonoe. Nice to meet you."
"Now then, shall we get right to it? What exactly are you looking for?"
Nohara-san gave the three of us a measuring look, then cleared his throat, clearly wanting to get this over with. His attitude wasn't exactly what I’d call sincere, but I couldn't blame him. If a group of students suddenly showed up claiming they were buying land to build a training ground, any professional would naturally wonder if they were dealing with pranksters or deluded dreamers.
Sensing his skepticism, I kept my expression neutral and explained our situation.
"Certainly. We are currently planning to build a training ground that allows for skill practice, and we're looking for suitable land. However, it would be a total waste of effort if we bought or leased a property only to find out later that we couldn't get a skill use permit. While looking into the process on the Association’s website, I found that you offer a preliminary investigation service for private land before the formal permit application is filed..."
"I see. So you came to confirm the details of that system? You could have applied online through the portal, though."
"Well, given that we’re students, we were concerned that an online application might be dismissed as a prank. We thought it would be better to show up in person to demonstrate that we’re serious about this project."
Online applications were easy to fire off with a smartphone. If they judged us as pranksters based on our age, they might 'accept' the application but then let it sit in scheduling limbo forever. At least by coming to the counter, we could establish ourselves as genuine applicants.
"I see. That’s why you all came down here. In that case, I’ll prepare a consultation room. Please wait a moment. Oh, and for identity verification, could you please present your Explorer Cards? Do you have them with you?"
"Yes, we have them."
"Thank you. You there, please take their cards and run the verification."
"Understood."
"I’ll be back once the room is ready. Excuse me."
Nohara-san left the verification to the younger clerk and stepped away.
We were moved to a consultation room in a corner of the second floor. It was a simple space—about six tatami mats in size—containing two folding tables and six pipe chairs. Nearly fifteen minutes had passed since Nohara-san left to gather the necessary paperwork, and we were starting to run out of ways to kill time.
Furthermore, it sounded quite hectic outside the room. I suspected some urgent matter had cropped up to delay Nohara-san, so I was hesitant to stick my head out and demand an update.
"...What's taking so long?"
"It sounds busy out there. It might take a bit more time."
"Still, if they're going to be this late, I wish they'd at least check in on us. Just sitting here without any explanation is agonizing."
Boredom had finally overtaken our initial nerves. The three of us, who had been sitting stiffly when we first entered, were now slumped in our chairs. Being kept in isolation with no information is a special kind of drain.
It felt even worse because we’d expected to be finished and on our way home within ten or fifteen minutes.
"I wish they’d left us some brochures or something to read."
"Maybe they assumed we didn't need them since the info is online?"
"That’s possible," Hiiragi-san sighed. "Since you told them you’d already checked the website, they probably figured there was no point in providing extra materials."
We could do nothing but wait and whisper our complaints, though I was starting to think that if he didn't return soon, we should just tell them we’d come back another day.
Finally, after nearly thirty minutes of waiting, Nohara-san returned with a stack of documents, accompanied by another middle-aged man who looked like his superior.
"I am so sorry to have kept you all waiting. I am Kawakita, the Section Chief of the Private Training Facility Management Section."
"We are truly sorry for the delay," Nohara-san added, bowing deeply with a slightly panicked expression.
We hurriedly straightened up in our chairs. While I felt an apology was the least they owed us after a thirty-minute wait, seeing a Section Chief personally come out to apologize was unexpected.
"Ah, no... we realized it sounded quite busy outside, so we assumed you were tied up with something urgent. Please, don't worry about it."
I kept any trace of my earlier irritation out of my voice, offering a polite dismissal of their apology. Making a scene would only complicate things and waste even more of our time. It was better to just swallow the annoyance and move on.
"Thank you for your understanding. Now then, let's discuss the preliminary investigation for the establishment of your training facility."
"Yes, thank you."
After their apologies were accepted, both Nohara-san and Kawakita-san looked visibly relieved and took their seats across from us. The small room felt quite cramped with five people inside.
"To recap," Kawakita-san began, "you are requesting a preliminary investigation to verify the feasibility of a skill use permit before you finalize the establishment of your facility?"
"That's correct. The three of us are pooling our funds to build a facility where we can practice skills. We’ve worked with a real estate agent to select a few candidate sites. However, those were primarily chosen based on size and layout; we don't know for sure if they’ll pass the requirements for a skill use permit. They seem to meet the criteria listed on the Association’s website, but we wanted a professional's eyes on the sites before we commit."
"I see. So you want the investigation before you actually purchase the land?"
"Yes. We've already cleared it with the real estate agent, and we have permission to enter the properties for the investigation."
As I explained the state of our project, Kawakita-san looked momentarily impressed. While I’m sure a specialist would find holes in our plan, it was fairly solid thanks to the advice from Juzo-san and Kiritani-san.
I was just glad they seemed to realize we weren't just some kids with a bit of pocket change acting on a whim.
"If that’s the case, there should be no problem with us conducting the survey. You’d be surprised how often we show up for an inspection only to find the applicant hasn't cleared it with the agent or landowner, forcing us to turn back at the gate..."
"Well, going in without permission would be trespassing, after all."
"Exactly. Now, please fill out the necessary information on these forms and let us know your preferred dates for the investigation. We can't guarantee those specific days, but we’ll do our best to accommodate your schedule."
"Understood."
I took the application forms from Nohara-san and discussed the dates with Yuji and Hiiragi-san. Weekdays were out because of school, so it had to be a weekend.
Once we finished the paperwork, we handed the forms over to Kawakita-san.
I still couldn't help but wonder what all that commotion outside had been about...