The Inari Entrance Exam

Heian-kyo, a deserted courtyard on the edge of the city.

In the courtyard filled with the corpses of foxes, Kanako, having just weathered an ambush, was solemnly inspecting the scene. Finally, within a large pit at the center of the courtyard, she discovered several droplets of blood.

"This is... Suwako's blood..." Kanako said, her expression grave as she touched the dried droplets. Beside her, Kaki couldn't help but gasp in shock.

"Lady Suwako's blood?! Does that mean she's already..."

"We can't jump to conclusions based on a little blood. However, what is certain is that Suwako did indeed encounter an ambush during the time she was away from us. The attacker somehow managed to extract information about us from her, then transformed into her likeness to lure us into a trap..." Kanako continued, her gaze sweeping over the corpses scattered across the ground.

"Judging by these attackers, we can reasonably assume this matter is linked to that so-called Inari Okami. That fake Suwako called me a lackey of Takamagahara even as she died... which means..."

"Which means the being currently residing in the Inari Shrine and calling herself the Inari Okami might not be the true deity, but a wild god who has expanded her faith using the name of Inari! Is that it, Lady Kanako?" Kaki finished the thought, and Kanako did not refute her.

"You're right. That is the most logical explanation at present. For some reason, this false Inari Okami learned of my purpose for coming to Heian-kyo and knew that Takamagahara intended to purge her. Unwilling to sit idly by and wait for her end, she began plotting against us. Due to the disparity in our power, she couldn't strike at me directly, so she targeted Suwako first..." Kanako mused, stroking her chin. This was the most rational deduction based on the current circumstances.

"Then what should we do now, Lady Kanako? Should we take direct action and eliminate that false god?" Kaki asked, her brow furrowed with concern. Kanako, however, did not give a definitive answer.

"Don't panic just yet. There are still many things that aren't clear... I need time to think..." Kanako said, looking up at the sky with a heavy expression.

In the shadows surrounding them from a distance, several pairs of eyes watched them intently.

Heian-kyo, Mount Inari in Fushimi.

Within a Secret Realm on the back of the mountain, inside a large house nestled in the forest, Suwako was currently holding a stack of paper scrolls, her lip twitching slightly.

"What... you're telling me to take a test?" Suwako said, trying her best to restrain her emotions as she looked at the little fox standing before her.

"That's right. Since you're a wild god here to apply for the title of Inari, you must pass the examination. These are Lady Uka's regulations. The divine name of Inari isn't something just any wild god can claim on a whim; you must have the proper qualifications." Standing atop a high wooden platform, a bright red little fox looked down at the frog wild god with an air of great importance, speaking in a high-pitched, haughty tone.

"But—but I need to see Uka-no-Mitama-no-Mikoto right now! I don't have time for these questions!" Suwako shouted, slamming the exam paper onto the table.

"That won't do. Lady Uka is very busy; she doesn't have time to see every random wild god. If you want to see her, pass the test first. If you pass, Lady Uka will personally grant you the divine name of Inari... Anyway, decide quickly if you're taking it or not so I can take you to the examination hall..." The little fox let out a yawn, speaking in a slow, bureaucratic manner. Seeing this, Suwako's lip twitched violently once more.

After being rescued by Yamausagi and Mountain Frog, Suwako—fleeing the pursuit of the Great Snake—had followed their suggestion to seek refuge at Mount Inari. She hoped to contact the Inari Okami and see if she could use her influence to reach Kanako and the others.

After learning about the Inari Okami's vast influence in Heian-kyo from Yamausagi and Mountain Frog, Suwako had assumed the deity was likely an orthodox god like Kanako, capable of solving the problem of the Great Snake.

Initially, Suwako's plan had proceeded quite successfully. She had Yamausagi and Mountain Frog deliver her to Mount Inari, and by posing as a wild god seeking the Inari name, she successfully bypassed the patrolling fox guards and entered the Secret Realm. But just when she thought she was about to meet the Inari Okami, an entirely unexpected challenge was placed before her.

Because more and more wild gods had been flocking to Heian-kyo over the last ten years seeking the Inari name, Miketsu had established a formal evaluation mechanism. This was to assess the basic qualities and abilities of the various motley wild gods who often resembled yokai. Those who were illiterate, lacked basic arithmetic skills, failed fundamental logic, possessed questionable intelligence, or had severely warped values were all disqualified from recruitment.

The questions Miketsu set weren't inherently difficult—they were roughly at the level of a second or third-grade elementary student—but due to the era they lived in, a vast number of wild gods still failed and were immediately rejected.

Looking at the exam paper in her hand, Suwako agonized for a long time. At that moment, the voices of Yamausagi and Mountain Frog drifted in from outside the small wooden hut.

"Good luck, Big Sister Frog! You have to pass!"

"Work hard! As a wild god from a frog yokai background, you have to do our kin proud!"

Listening to the shouts of those two energetic spirits, Suwako sighed and slapped her forehead in resignation. She then looked at the little fox and replied.

"Fine. I'll take the test. Lead me to the examination hall."

"Mm, then follow me..."

As the little fox spoke, it hopped down from the platform and strolled toward the inner part of the large house. Suwako followed close behind with her exam paper. Along the way, she saw many strange and varied wild gods within the building.

These wild gods were all sitting in their respective spots, some clutching books and reading, others writing furiously. There was no shortage of those scratching their heads in frustration; one, in a fit of rage, even ate his book and scrolls before being immediately pinned down by the patrolling foxes.

"Are all of these people taking the test?" Suwako asked the little fox ahead of her, looking confused.

"No, those are the ones who failed before but were unwilling to leave. They stay here to study. Most of them are illiterate and are learning how to read... By the way, you can read, can't you?"

"Uh... yes, I can."

"Then that saves a lot of trouble... We're here."

Finally, the little fox led Suwako into a private cubicle. Once Suwako was seated, she unfolded the exam paper and began to read.

Arithmetic: What is fifteen plus fifteen minus seven? Logic: Hanako, Reiko, and Hazuki are discussing their heights. Reiko is taller than Hazuki. Hanako is taller than Hazuki. Hanako is shorter than Reiko. Who is the tallest? Ethics: A villager begs you for help and offers a young girl as a sacrifice. You choose to...

Looking at these questions, Suwako let out a breath, scratched her head, and began to dip her brush in ink.