Upon opening her eyes again, the unfamiliar ceiling filled her vision once more.
No matter how many times she saw it, the pure white ceiling adorned with square white light fixtures, and the smell of disinfectant in the room always made her feel uneasy. Unlike the charity clinic run by the nuns of the church, an eerie coldness permeated the air here. Even with advanced heating facilities and a nice view outside, the sense of incongruity was unshakable.
This was a hospital room of V.E Company, a place dedicated to pragmatism and efficiency. There were only essential medical instruments and visitor furnishings, with nothing unnecessary.
The effects of the anesthesia had mostly worn off; her head was no longer as uncomfortable as when she had just awakened. But the competition had ended in a draw, and she was sent to the VIP ward of the V.E Company's affiliated hospital, having slept for a whole day. Somehow, these events recounted by others felt unreal to Lancelot.
