Avatar Exchange - (2)
[Did you create an avatar?]
[Yes. As I mentioned last time, I grew interested myself.]
According to the constellation classifications in that dimension, Naiserria was a Naturally Occurring Galaxy Spirit Body. The news of such a great galaxy spirit—the only one in the entire galaxy—coming from another dimension would have caused quite a stir.
But while I'd been following Yuna's exploits, I hadn't heard anything like that. Had she kept it quiet because she disliked the fuss?
[With the help of my avatar, I'm planning to create a temporary body over there. Could I have your assistance as well?]
[Of course. I shall direct you to the kin you created, O great one. Might I ask the name of this avatar?]
[Yuna. She lives on a planet called Ratan.]
After wrapping up my brief conversation with Naiserria and rummaging through my mind for various bits of knowledge, I turned my gaze beyond the dimension.
To where Yuna had gone for the Avatar Exchange Meetup.
The realm of mortals, where death comes with a fixed lifespan—the material world.
Long ago, the Galactic Empire, having ventured into space, forgot their faith in the gods. All phenomena attributed to gods were explained by science, and the empire's military might rivaled that of any deity.
Deities dubbed Single Planet Restricted Spirit Bodies and Naturally Occurring Planet Spirit Bodies lost their worship. Some planet gods, labeled as planet spirits, rebelled fiercely.
Just 215 years after the empire's founding, war broke out between certain planet spirits and the Galactic Empire. The outcome was predictably an empire victory. Humanity grew even more arrogant, viewing divinities merely as powerful races.
It seemed immortals would be utterly crushed by mortals. That's when countless immortals, unable to stomach the mortals' dominance, stepped forward.
Divinities ruling multiple star systems. Star divinities radiating power like suns. Divinities shaped from nebulae... And so came the Interstellar Convention in Galactic Empire Year 390.
An accord to halt conflicts between immortals and mortals, with various conditions for mutual respect.
"Humanity was incredibly arrogant back then. They got cocky just for dragging the constellations to the negotiation table."
For centuries after, the Galactic Empire, believing itself equal to gods, encountered true transcendence. A real 'god' ruling an entire galaxy.
"If the great Galaxy Spirit, Silent Starlight, hadn't revealed herself, this universe would have been in true chaos. She made us aware of dimensional instability and created the Avatar Contract Law..."
As the blond man on stage spoke, holograms danced around, illustrating history.
Learning this era's history was fine, but why explain it here? I thought this was the Avatar Exchange Meetup. The surroundings looked like a banquet hall full of eating and drinking, and some avatars ignored the stage entirely, focused only on their food.
"What's this made of? It's pretty good."
"According to Chapter 5, Form 2 of the Arter Sword Technique, the proper path to circulate inner power is..."
"Our constellation says the sea is its body. So it's always on the coast..."
Yet the man kept talking diligently.
Constellation, Whispering Star Cluster, expresses doubt at the man's lengthy explanation.
Seeing my message, Yuna parted her lips slightly. Sipping a cocktail in the exchange meetup's banquet hall, she clearly looked bored.
"Ah. That guy's super devout to the constellations, I guess."
That man's name was Mu-Rakrima, right? A classmate of Yuna's from Kairon Planet. Son of a major corporation heir handling cutting-edge tech—basically a chaebol kid.
Maybe that's why. Yuna's gaze toward him wasn't kind, full of envy and jealousy for the rich kid. She glared, then went back to her cocktail.
"Gulp. This is seriously delicious."
"Is it? Arcadia Bloom is tasty, yeah? The ether foam pairs perfectly with the sap from Jelev tree bark..."
A green-haired woman suddenly butted in. Pointed, long ears. Revealing clothes. She looked like an alien avatar, not human.
"What? Beira, this is a specialty from your planet?"
"Of course it iiiis~ Thanks to the blessing from Sky-Supporting Great Tree."
"That planet world tree constellation?"
The avatars naturally started chatting. Beira, looking just like an elf from my past life's stories, chattered away. She was probably the one who invited Yuna to the exchange.
I'd seen them hanging out often on Kairon Planet. Seemed like they got along.
"Oh, right. Yuna~ Our constellation wants to talk to yours."
Me?
Constellation, Sky-Supporting Great Tree.
Classified as a Single Planet Restricted Spirit Body, yet nearly a planet spirit in power. Its true nature: the tribal god worshipped by Beira's Elita people. A world tree.
Officially called a Single Planet Life Tree? The giant tree from fantasy worlds I imagined—literally. A plant that gained divinity. Apex of all plant species.
"Our constellation got interested in that Cosmic Power you use. So, Whispering Star Cluster? Wants to chat with him."
"But our constellation's from another dimension, and doesn't have a temporary body to descend yet..."
"Said even later is fine—just wants to set up a meeting?"
Two beautiful women gazing at the air, then at each other, chatting. Constellations talking through mortal avatars. Felt kinda weird.
Regular messages only show to one's own avatar, unlike contract messages, so no choice there.
Constellation, Whispering Star Cluster, says to just speak into the air.
"Our constellation's watching, so you can just say it..."
"Ahh! Got ittt. Whispering Star Cluster."
Was it just Sky-Supporting Great Tree? Or did other constellations do this too? No need to speak into thin air, but...
Ah, maybe talking directly to a mortal without an avatar lacked dignity. But insisting on going through avatars for formality? Pass. Maybe that constellation had a quirky personality. Being a tree god and all.
"Constellation from another dimension. Our Sky-Supporting Great Tree hopes to meet you someday."
Constellation, Whispering Star Cluster, says he'll visit once he makes a temporary body later.
"Constellation approved. He's coming personally?"
"Thank youuu! Said he'll welcome you grandly when that time comes!"
The elf girl bowed to the air. Once I could descend to the material world, I'd love to see the world tree up close. Here they called it Single Planet Life Tree or whatever, but 21st-century world trees felt sacred.
Heard it helped stop the empire's rampage with the Interstellar Convention. Would be nice to meet and hear the details.
"Ahem. Sooo, Yuna, how've you been lately..."
Fwiiiish—
Just as their chat was about to continue, dazzling light burst from the stage. Beira and Yuna turned to Mu-Rakrima on the podium.
"...Thus, I, who invited you fellow graduates from Kairon Planet, declare!"
Multicolored lights sparkled around Mu-Rakrima. A technique to aid his speech? Why use it at a casual event like this?
"Among us who trained together on Kairon, the strongest avatar will get materials for their constellation's descent ritual and tons of credits!!!"
Cheers from some avatars. The real exchange meetup began.
A tournament-style duel on a vast plain. Hundreds of avatars poured out from the banquet hall, gathering on the grassland to hear the host's rules.
"I offer this battle's glory to..." Self-mutters dedicating victories to their contracted constellations echoed everywhere. True to the exchange name, safety measures abounded: no micro-beam weapons, no superpower-boosting gear, weapon limits, etc.
"Alright, I'll step in if it gets dangerous."
A seasoned avatar, interested in the prospects' duel, refereed. The two in the wide space faced off.
One: an ordinary human woman. The other: a man looking like a three-eyed monk.
"Avatar contracted with Whispering Star Cluster. Yuna."
"Contracted with Dusk Ender. Dazak."
They stated their constellation and names, taking stances. Yuna in a fighting pose, Dazak standing still with palms together.
Human-like, but his alien race had three eyes, including one on the forehead. Red glow began faintly around his joined palms.
Constellation, Whispering Star Cluster, cheers for his avatar.
Beep— Yuna smiled faintly at my cheer. Then the whistle blew.
The match started—Huh?
Thwack. Crash-tumble-bang!!
"Guhk!"
"Yuna the avatar wins!"
Looks like my avatar's stronger than I thought.