Descent Ritual (1)
"It looks like the descent will be possible soon! The Central Avatar Research Institute has succeeded in developing a ritual circle specialized for other-dimensional constellations, and they contacted us about it!"
I'm not sure if it'll apply to me, but this is pretty good news. I know there are only five other-dimensional constellations, so it's impressive they're paying attention to this side. They don't seem like the type to invest budget in unnecessary areas. Maybe they have some other motive? Perhaps it's because of the rumors circulating after the Black Witch's ritual failed eight times—that I might be a Galaxy Spirit.
"Yuna. Good work. This concludes the requests regarding malevolent constellations."
"Ah, yes! Thank you!"
"We should be the ones thanking you. The recent battle, too... It's hard to believe that was the skill of a rookie avatar who graduated from Kairon Planet not long ago."
The elderly avatar who had just been negotiating with a serpent devouring heaven and earth praised Yuna. It didn't seem like he was treating her specially; he was going around patting others on the shoulder and encouraging them too. But Yuna's attitude was remarkably polite. Is he quite famous among mortals?
Are they famous? When they were young, they volunteered for planetary pioneering forces and developed dozens of planets. I heard they contracted with a constellation that couldn't become a Planet Spirit. They rose to the position of vanguard captain through personal effort...
A quick message inquiring about their identity brought an immediate reply. They contracted with a relatively weak constellation but succeeded through self-made effort. Well, not entirely self-made since the contract came first.
-_-_-_
A few days later, Yuna visited a certain planet.
"Hello. Are you Yuna, the avatar contracted with the Whispering Star Cluster?"
"Yes."
"The chief researcher is this way. Please follow me."
Central Avatar Research Institute. A facility built on a planet in the same star system as the Super Galactic Empire Federation's capital planet, Solaryon. They pride themselves as the federation's top place for researching avatars and constellations. If even they fail at the descent, doesn't that mean there's really no way?
Following the guide into the institute, a gaunt middle-aged man appeared before Yuna. That must be the chief researcher. The AI info display marks him in red, so he's an avatar contracted with a constellation.
"Hello. Yuna avatar. I... contacted you before, right? I'm Chief Researcher John-Jerard."
"Yes. That witch, Selene. She said you'd help with our constellation's descent ritual, which failed eight times."
"Of course, we'd like Yuna avatar to let us research the power your constellation bestowed upon you. We need to understand that power well to make the descent easier."
The Whispering Star Cluster expresses doubt at the word "research."
This artificial intelligence info body, presumed to be created by those other Outer Gods, was quite convenient. It grasped the conversation's context and flow just from a slight intent of doubt and delivered an appropriate message. If I invested a long time in research, I could probably make one too...
"Constellation? Uh, I think I need permission from our constellation for that."
"Is the Whispering Star Cluster watching? Then I'll explain to the constellation as well. If you make good use of the Cosmic Power bestowed upon you, Yuna, we can pinpoint spatial coordinates from other dimensions..."
He rattled off incomprehensible jargon mixed with technical terms for a bit. In conclusion, the descent would become easier as research progressed.
"Selene Arcana was a witch formerly affiliated with our institute. Her skills were top-notch. Yet the constellation's descent failed eight times because of the unknown power called Cosmic Power."
That Selene woman must have been quite skilled. Her claim of being one of the best in the star system wasn't a lie. She just looked like an ordinary witch who loved research.
Smooth—
"Our Central Avatar Research Institute has no intention of violating the constellation's taboos. Please help for the advancement of humanity."
"Uh. Uhhh?"
The chief researcher stood and bowed to the air. Yuna panicked at the sudden situation, but he kept bending at the waist.
"We've succeeded in developing the ritual circle for other-dimensional constellations' descent. But our internal simulations show a very low success probability for the Whispering Star Cluster's ritual."
"What?!"
"However, if we can properly research the constellation's power, there's a chance. Please, we beg you."
His expression and tone were sincere. It didn't seem like an impromptu decision. He looks quite capable. As expected of humanity that's advanced into the space age? But to take such a low posture...
They must have some idea.
The Whispering Star Cluster affirms.
Eh. It didn't matter much. Let them figure it out.
* * *
From that day, full-scale analysis of Cosmic Power—兼 research for my descent—began.
With Yuna's cooperation, staying at the Central Avatar Research Institute, and my permission as the constellation, the researchers tried all sorts of experiments. They collided Cosmic Power with other abilities like mana, magical power, or qi, or measured it with unfamiliar equipment.
Once, they took her into an isolation room surrounded by metal walls.
"Yuna avatar. Next, please draw out Cosmic Power at full power."
"Uh, sorry, but that might be difficult?"
"Why? Is it hard to control or something?"
"That's part of it, but... what if the isolation room blows up?"
At Yuna's concern, the researcher smiled faintly and spoke.
"Don't worry. That isolation room has been reinforced to withstand the power of typical combat-specialized avatars."
"But... I've never used full power before? It feels like endlessly scooping water from the ocean."
"Still, please try your best. We need to know the limits..."
Flash!
Boom boom boom KABOOM!!!!
Abnormal energy levels detected in Isolation Wing J-Sector.
Hazard of hazardous material leak and further collapse. Evacuate immediately...
The Whispering Star Cluster watches its first avatar with interest.
"A-Are you okay?! I hurriedly reduced power midway...!"
There was a minor issue where the isolation room couldn't withstand part of the Cosmic Power and collapsed entirely, but the research progressed smoothly anyway.
Over the months of research, my first avatar and the institute staff built some rapport. And she met a rather unique woman.
"Hello. Yuna avatar. I'm Vivian, the director of this institute."
"Whoa, really? The supreme authority in ability research who wrote a paper on the dynamics of mana and magical power in her teens and got a PhD...!"
"As expected, you recognize me, humanity's greatest intellect. Yes, I am that Vivian."
Claims of being humanity's greatest intellect, PhD, institute director—none of that interested me. What caught my attention was that this human hadn't made an avatar contract.
Avatar contracts elevate mortals physically and mentally. They impart unknown knowledge, enhance judgment and intelligence, or expand cognitive limits with blessings. It's the connection between deity and apostle—not just granting one or two abilities, but growing the soul's presence and leaping to the next stage.
Thus, among the speck-like mortals, intellectuals and generals are mostly contracted with deities.
"You've really never made an avatar contract until now?"
"Yes. That's correct."
"They say you turned down courtship from hundreds of constellations...!"
"Many constellations want to contract with me, but 'hundreds' seems like exaggerated rumor."
Up until now, that held true. The higher the status or intellect, the higher the avatar ratio. Yet this woman claimed the director position without a contract, pushing aside apostles—no, avatars. From my avatar's reaction, she clearly had the skills. The story of rejecting constellation contracts seemed true too. No political maneuvering or connections apparent. A genius transcending species limits, perhaps.
"But why come to see me? I'm just..."
"I'm curious about the power from the other-dimensional constellation given to Yuna avatar, and to inform you that the constellation descent ritual circle tailored to Cosmic Power is nearly complete."
"Ah!"
"I know the Whispering Star Cluster has not just Yuna avatar, but another one. Could you ask the constellation to bring that one here too?"
I recalled they said having multiple avatars contracted with the constellation makes the descent ritual smoother. But the second avatar is on Kairon Planet. Early graduation is the goal, but who knows. It's inconvenient only being able to view one avatar at a time. No helping it. I'm a guest, not the owner, so I shouldn't tamper with the info body.
The Whispering Star Cluster says it will check on the second avatar's status.
"Sure thing. You're talking about that princess, right?"
With a brief message left for the first avatar, I switched to the second avatar's viewpoint.
"Trainee Beatrix. You pass the early graduation exam. That summon in particular was impressive."
"O—hohohot!!! This much is simple-wa yo!!!"