Next came the preparation of materials for the exam. Besides the written test and interview, Ian planned to conduct a discreet "political vetting" — not to scrutinize actual political leanings, but to ascertain whether these people had reliable social backgrounds and if they were susceptible to the easy seduction of the Mountain People or Fiery Flame Land.
Meanwhile, a census and rough estimation of cultivable land were underway. With the help of Sublimators like Green Tide and Electric Blue, progress was swift, and preliminary results were expected in a few days.
Of course, the most pressing concern was the massive construction site being erected by the shores of Dazzling Lake. Craftsmen had cleared a large flat area on the lakeside rocky surface and were conducting exploratory work for excavating foundations. The project was dubbed the "New Agricultural Experimental Zone".
