Green.
This was my first thought as soon as my eyes adjusted from the sunlight that smacked my face right on.
Although the Inter-Galactic Union has an astronomical number of greenhouses, the natural way of planting has long been disposed of, replaced by reagents that could stimulate the maximum potential of plants and trees even in a dire condition.
Inhaling deeply, the fresh air filled my lungs. Looking down, I curled my toes against the grass, feeling the connection with nature through my soles. This feeling is so… so different and so amazing.
At least I get to experience this while in the world of a book. The scenery before me can only be seen in drawings a few hundred years later in my timeline.
The infirmary I was in is located atop a hill surrounded by verdant lush forestry. Standing atop a hill, the vast expanse of the Alizo Clan astounded me greatly.
As one of the four great clans, the Alizo Clan, which is a clan of the last nine-tailed fox beasts, owns the east territory of the land. My elder brother, I mean, Sofia Alizo's brother, is the young leader of the great nine-tailed fox clan of the east.
I wonder if I can see the legendary nine-tailed fox if I loiter around the forest…
According to the book, Sofia Alizo was rejected because the arrogant heir of the Ruiz Clan, a powerful clan of white tiger beast, found out that Sofia Alizo could not shift at all even after reaching the tender age of eighteen!
I feel a sense of loss after knowing this truth about Sofia Alizo. It is truly sad if I cannot shift in this body. I could have imagined the series of experiments I could perform if I own a body that could shift. I wonder what is the difference of a normal human compared to a beastman?
Fully immersed with the thought of researching the secrets of a beastman anatomy and genetics, I failed to notice the eerie silence of the forest around the infirmary.
Not a snap of a twig nor a hoot of an owl.
Big Data, is danger approaching or near me?
[ALIZO CLAN IS HOSTING A MEETING BETWEEN THE FOUR GREAT CLANS. ALL PATROLS ARE CENTERED TO THE BORDERS.]
Show me the map of the Alizo Clan.
Immediately, a detailed map appeared before me. There are descriptions pinned on each landmark, which I skipped, while I focused on one place only—the damn meadow.
In the book, this is where Sofia Alizo drew her last breath after running away from the infirmary. Apparently, the heroine happened to be here. When Rowen finds the cold corpse of his beloved sister, it is the heroine who gives him a comforting hand. Of course, as the appointed protector of the last heir of the Alfeim Clan is also in that place…the dragon race's prodigy is also in this scene where the villain role of Rowen started.
The fuckin' male lead is also there!
With the motto of staying away from the male lead and staying away from the plot, I already marked the 'meadow' as a big 'X' on my list.
I decisively chose the opposite side of the meadow. According to the map, this path will lead me to the Square. As described in the map briefly, a Square is a place in the Alizo Clan's territory where all the other clans from all different races are free to trade the Alizo Clan's special products.
As one of the four great clans, the Alizo Clan is the only remaining clan of the nine-tailed fox beasts with abundant resources both needed for alchemy and mages.
Upon thinking about these so-called resources, my blood boiled. I want to know more about the beastmen and studying my new biology is not a problem for me.
Not minding the cold wind hitting my body, I let it whip the thin knee-length white dress hanging my body. With steps getting faster by the minute, the familiar excitement of conducting an experiment and discovering the unknown is all I am thinking about.
The Sign-in System has long been shelved at the back of my mind along with the cursed Meadow.
Before long, the chattering sound of people talking with each other paired with the burst of giggles from children welcomed me. The sound of cars and trucks honking and driving away mixed in the bustling crowd.
I'm here! I've arrived!
I let my senses guide me. As a traveler from the Interstellar, the scene being unfolded before me is something that I could only read in ancient textbooks.
The manual exchange of currency. The bargaining along with the annoyed faces of the merchants and the complacent customers. The authentic advertisements are repeatedly yelled at through slogans by the sellers. Everything is something I would not see in the Inter-Galactic Unit 163.
A small gasp escaped from my chapped lips.
The setting sun did not dim the enthusiastic exchange. As the last of the light was chased by the darkness away, hundreds of light bulbs illuminated the Square. Hovering over me and everyone else in the area, the curtain-like bulbs stretched out to all the corners of the Square.
"Eh? Young Miss Sofia?"
My step that is about to bolt to the blue-brick one-story store has been abruptly interrupted. Looking back, I saw a brown-haired male sporting a friendly smile.
"Yes?" I don't know you so please don't speak to me, will you? I want to tell him this, but I can only play dumb.
According to the book, Sofia Alizo is an introvert who only revolves her life around her big brother. When her first attempt to open up was dashed by Jake Ruiz's rejection coupled with the fact that she could not shift despite being the young leader's precious younger sister, she committed suicide.
With these facts ingrained in me on purpose, I could not help but breathe a sigh of relief. At least I can use the fact that 'I' am introverted.
The first test subject of this theory is the smiling dude before me.
"Where are your secret guards, Young Miss? Is Lord Rowen with you? Or should I guide you back to the infirmary?"
Secret guards? The book did not mention that!
Oh well, Sofia Alizo is only a cannon fodder character whose life is meant to springboard the love triangle plot of the book. There is no way that the book will mention details about Sofia Alizo's daily life in that measly paragraph that describes the poor girl.
The series of questions only left me dumbfounded for a couple of seconds. In the blink of an eye, I merely stared straight at the man before I looked elsewhere and whispered.
"I only want to take a look." Through her peripheral vision, she continued. "You may go. Nothing will happen to me inside my territory."
"That's too bad. As your attending doctor, it is my duty to make sure you are safe and sound, Young Miss. Shall I walk with you then?"
He is my doctor?