The best course of action would be to investigate the village- carefully. I don't know whether Alexie's ability will work on me, so I need to be cautious.

This body's previous host has only been spying on this village for a day, so my new memories don't have much on the topic of Alexie. Besides, the Keyuu didn't have my perfect memory and wasn't paying attention to any mentions of an Alexie. Though, thinking about it, there was something a bit off about yesterday's memory. Having an outsider's perspective, I can tell there was something... other, pushing the snake toward the village. Though, it wasn't strong - more like a whisper urging her to investigate. Not literally, of course, that would be concerning as hell.

Considering the evidence, it was probably something to do with magic. It can't be mind-control pheromones since she would have tasted slash smelled something, and it can't be soul-related because... Well, honestly, that's just wishful thinking because soul-related things would still work on me.

Anyway, since the impulse was so small, I should stay at about the same distance from the village as she was. Then, I'll be able to safely discern the danger of the beast control. If it's too strong, then.. well, I guess I could put that trap-making skill to use.

Considering how long I spent lost in my thoughts, I half expect it to be later in the day when I focus on my surroundings. However, looking at the sun, it looks like hardly a few seconds went by.

Huh. Useful. I assume it's something to do with my [Spiritual Mentality] skill... Perhaps my mind is no longer restricted to the processes of my brain?

I first take stock of my body. My eyes catch on the red of the feathers lining the top half of my serpentine body and the plated scales on my belly. I think of my skill [Defensive Scales] and rake my clawed hands through the red feathers.

Interesting, it seems the feathers grow through the gaps in between the scales on my back. That's good, it means my [Defensive Scales] covers my whole body. Well...

I spread my wings to check them.

Other than my wings. The arms of my wings were covered, but the long feathers that make up most of my wings are just that - feathers. No skin underneath. No scales. I'll have to be careful with that, but hopefully my [Fire Resistance] extends to my feathers. I wonder if I could try a lava bath or something later? Anyway, since the arms of my wings are covered with scales I should be able to grow back any damaged feathers.

Curious, I check my new memories to figure out what my head looks like - and I find a memory of my reflection in water.

Apparently, my head is almost fully scaled - with a feathered frill that I can spread out at will, and two curled forward-facing horns. Thinking of them, I see that the horns were often used to headbutt and impale other creatures - usually into traps. How cool, I'll have to add 'impale someone with my horns' to my bucket list.

As for the frill...

Uh.

Let's just say that it involves mating and intimidation - and I now know more about the reproduction of snakes than I ever wanted to. From the point of view of the snake.

Moving on!

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

My coloration reminds me of a scarlet macaw from my old world, which is neat. And very pretty. I also have two sets of feathers along my tail - which can be spread out like my frills. However, these are more practical in use - they keep my tail aloft while I fly. Otherwise, my long body would weigh me down.

Speaking of flying...

A sudden itch overcomes me. Not in a physical sense, but in a 'what are you doing, move' way.

Flying has always been a main staple in my dreams. The method of flight differed, but wings were always somehow involved.

And now I get to experience it for real.

I loosen my body from the tree I'm wrapped around, my wings flaring out in preparation. I recall the direction the village is in - and how to fly - before taking off in excitement.

My wings flap with a powerful __woosh__ as I dive off the tall tree. I get closer to the ground than any other flier would dare, before tilting up and flying parallel to the ground - I'm too large to weave between the branches, so I must stick to the trunks. I weave between the trunks with ease, flapping my wings when I have the space, and gliding when I don't.

It's exhilarating.

The near-mises spike my adrenaline - even though they're not near-misses because I'm in complete control. The muscle memories guide me and allow me a confidence I wouldn't normally have. I'm sure my [Spiritual Mentality] helps me keep calm too.

At the speed I'm going, I know it would usually only take me a few minutes to get to the village. Instead, it takes much longer as I get carried away flying through the forest.

Eventually, when I begin to get tired, - despite my stamina skill, Keyuus aren't known for their stamina - I finally pause at the edge of the village. I perch at the top of a tree, using my memories to hide expertly and observe the village.

It's much smaller than what I'm used to of course, considering the population of my old world. I can see the other side of the village from where I'm perched... Though, considering the trees are ridiculously tall here, that isn't saying much. There seems to be... twenty some residential houses? Though, oddly enough there looks to be more businesses than houses - possibly a tourist trap?

But what sticks out most is the amount of beasts and animals among the people. Oh, and the sheer amount of people.

Despite being a small village, there is a large main road going through it with what seems to be tourists going in and out of the village. That confirms my idea that this is a tourist trap - or something similar. A lot of them seem to be leaving with beasts of their own.

Hmm.. it seems this village is a major trading center for beasts. Does that still count as a tourist trap? I can spot the uses of a few of the buildings by observation, like the hotels and beast stables.

From my spot, I don't feel the pull the Keyuu did. Whether that means I'm immune or that the girl is somewhere else, I don't know.

Sitting here and watching makes me realize I can barely hear what anyone is saying in the village. There's a large clearing around it where trees were used for lumber, and I know the Keyuu didn't leave the tree line. How did she hear gossip from this far away?

...

Ah, I see. She used the magic from her magic core to enhance her senses. She never pushed it out of her body like beasts and monsters usually do - her biology made it unnecessary and flashy. But cycling it through her body strengthens it, without even using up any magic.

I decide to test it out, following my memories and channeling magic to my ears.

I'm immediately greeted to the chattering of conversation in the village. How useful. I use her experience to parse through the chattering for anything useful. Sometimes, a word pops up that feels vaguely familiar but that I no longer recognize.

As I thought, there's a lot of people advertising their wares. Most of it involves beasts, such as beast food, beasts themselves, and even some beast cores. There also seem to be services for beast training.

They all advertise something unique. One building even specializes in small beast breeding. They're saying that the beasts are cute and harmless - bred specifically to have as small a core as possible while also having the unique attributes beasts are known for.

I channel magic into my eyes as well so I can see what's going on better. My eyesight is pretty good, but the village is really far away. With my birds-eye view, I can see into the village easily.

The beasts being advertised for sale all look very interesting. I think I even spot a phoenix-type creature. And a shadowy cat! That's cute.

Ah, I'm getting off track from all the cool creatures here. I need to find Alexia; then I can explore all I want.

I don't actually know what she looks like or even how old she is. So, instead of looking, I listen for rumors regarding a girl with a beast attracting ability.

It doesn't take long once I start paying attention.

I focus on a man inside a building with stables off to the side. He sells mount beasts, I assume due to the multiple horse-adjacent beasts in the stables.

"My daughter is amazing with animals and beasts alike! She can tame even the wild beasts in the forest with just a scratch under the chin! I'm sure she'll become a fine tamer one day, better than me I hope!" The loud man bellows.

Even through the distance and through walls I can hear him, Though, I can't tell if that's due to my magic or his enthusiastic volume. I'm sure it could just be a parent bragging about their kid in an exaggerated fashion, however it's the best lead I have.

"Oh, she's off trotting in the forest. She's fine, not a single beast can resist her charm! Every time she leaves she's got a whole trail of em following her- protecting her. I trust em."

He was asked where she was, which is very convenient for me. This seems too specific to be a simple lie.

Now I just have to find her.