Avatar Contract - (2)
Thanks to the crowd nearby, she woke up safely. She'd apparently fainted from the shock.
"...Huh?! A-Avatar contract!"
"Yuna, are you okay?! The contract is still floating in the air, so just calm down."
"Y-Yeah. Okay. Hoo. Hoo..."
The moment she came to, Yuna frantically scanned the air, swallowed hard, and cautiously moved her finger. As her finger touched the [Accept] button, another message appeared.
The contract between the Constellation, Whispering Star Cluster, and Avatar Yuna has been completed.
I could feel the connection between her and me through the artificial intelligence created by the Outer God. It was like a pathway had opened, allowing me to send some degree of power. This sensation was a bit unfamiliar.
"Whoa, I'm so jealous. An avatar contract from a constellation in another dimension."
"This is insane... Can I post about this on the planetary network? No photos, just text!"
"Never thought we'd see an avatar contracted with a constellation from another dimension right here on our planet."
The crowd gathered around the avatar contract unfolding before their eyes, and the murmurs grew louder.
"But is contracting with a constellation from another dimension really that big a deal?"
"Of course it is!"
Overwhelmed by the approaching crowd, she cautiously voiced her question. The employment counselor woman in front of her immediately replied, her face vivid with jealousy, admiration, and envy.
"Constellations from other dimensions are at least naturally occurring planet spirits... Ahem! They rule entire planets."
"Oh."
"What was the constellation's epithet? Search it on the network, and you'll see how many avatars they have and what kind of being they are."
"Something like Whispering Star Cluster?"
People manipulated thin, wide metal plates to search for something. In this SF world that spanned planets, information on constellations seemed to be public domain.
"Oh... This constellation isn't registered in the database. Looks like it's their first contract ever. Do you feel any special abilities? Like some unique power...?"
"Sis! Can I get your autograph?!"
"Living long enough to witness a contract with a planet god from another dimension."
"They say avatars glow with light when they receive power. Has the constellation not granted any authority yet?"
Like a celebrity, people swarmed Yuna, leaving her flustered and unsure what to do. That's when a pair of men and women—dressed in black suits or perhaps high-tech space suits—approached.
"Are you Yuna, the one who contracted with a constellation from another dimension?"
"Y-Yes. Why?"
"We're from the Planetary Government's Avatar Management Bureau. Please come with us."
They flashed what looked like ID cards to confirm their identities. Seeing Yuna follow them without suspicion, I felt a bit puzzled. Our connection felt like a small pinhole, but it seemed enough to convey my will. Let me try sending some power with the intent of speaking to my avatar...
The Constellation, Whispering Star Cluster, asks about the identities of the people guiding the avatar.
"Th-The constellation is asking for your identities."
"Gasp! They're really watching us..."
"Hold on. Let me explain."
I wanted to communicate directly rather than indirectly, but for now, this was all I could do. I'd have to settle for indirect communication. Like in the Cthulhu mythos, would an ordinary human go mad hearing a god's voice directly?
The man walking ahead of Yuna bowed politely to the air.
But I'm watching from behind? Who was he greeting?
"Greetings, Constellation from another dimension. We are employees of the mortal government that governs this Ratan Planet. We are not taking your avatar to harm her. On the contrary, we're here to provide her with various conveniences. We ask for your understanding."
"Ah, yeah. They're planetary government employees."
The male agent spoke in a stiff voice, reciting the manual on how to address constellations. Yuna also glanced at the air cautiously and confirmed.
The Constellation, Whispering Star Cluster, understands.
Yuna began moving with the agents who had appeared out of nowhere. While my contracted avatar was being taken somewhere, it might be good to test what kind of interference I could perform on her body.
You may grant your contracted avatar power, authority, or knowledge.
Per the Super Galactic Empire Federation's laws, powers that cause physical or mental harm to avatars may be restricted. Please take care.
According to the AI, I had to send power directly to the avatar. I rummaged through my mind for a moment, and knowledge useful for this surfaced.
Like chipping off and detaching a part of the body—a fingernail—I peeled off some power. But there was still a problem.
This power is too strong for a mortal avatar to accept.
In the end, only an invisible fragment was allowed. In human terms, it was like detaching one or two cells. Thinking of inserting my cells into her body felt weird, but the knowledge in my head wouldn't be wrong.
It was so small even dust wouldn't notice it. I questioned if it truly existed, but I had definitely detached it. By then, her movement in that dimension had stopped. With preparations to share a part of my body done, I comfortably observed that world.
Shoooong—
They arrived somewhere aboard a small flying ship. The building looked like a government facility at a glance. It might seem like they were escorting a dangerous person, but their polite attitude dispelled any kidnapping suspicions.
Guided inside to a suitable room, Yuna began talking with the government employee.
"Hello. Are you Yuna from Sector D-182 in the Eastern Continent's counseling office, who accepted an avatar contract today?"
"Y-Yes... If it's the avatar who contracted today, that's me."
The employee, seated across a desk from Yuna, spoke up.
"By Super Galactic Empire Federation law, all new avatars like you must complete basic training on Kairon Planet."
"Do I have to go right away?"
"Of course, there are tedious procedures in between—like rent or other obligations. That's why I'm here to help."
The government employee's explanation dragged on. Basics on avatars and constellations. The Kairon Planet where she'd train for several months. Benefits and duties ahead. My first avatar was swamped signing all sorts of documents.
"Can we widely promote that an avatar from our Ratan Planet contracted with a constellation from another dimension?"
"Huh?! Promote? Like appearing on the news?"
"Of course, if you agree, you can enjoy the benefits listed here—credits, equipment support, tax exemptions, and more..."
"Of course I will!"
Proposals for planetary ad models, using promo lines in newspapers or news. The birth of an avatar contracted with another dimension's constellation was prime publicity material. With so many studying and training to become avatars, it made sense.
"Next, about abilities. All avatars contracted with constellations can use their own unique abilities."
Apparently, every avatar contracted with a constellation could wield abilities tied to that constellation—spewing flames from their hands, bizarre insight, sorcery, superpowers, and such.
"Some constellations only grant knowledge, but most bestow unique authorities, martial arts, or magic."
Hold on. Magic or martial arts too? Did avatars in this era swing lightsabers with Haste spells while unleashing Plum Blossom Swordsmanship?
"Mana. Qi. Magic power. Psychic energy. Ether... These intangible forces are what avatars like Yuna must hone."
"But I don't feel any such power."
"Ah! You haven't received power yet. Some constellations observe their avatars slowly before granting it later."
At her words, I mustered a bit of will and sent a message. Better to receive power before heading to the training planet with other avatars—it'd make adaptation easier.
The Constellation, Whispering Star Cluster, says they will grant power right now.
Cosmic Power permeates Avatar Yuna!
"...Huh? They say they're granting it right now?"
At that moment, a pure white glow began filling Yuna's body as she sat at the desk. The employee staring blankly at her recoiled in shock—and that was the right move.
Kwaaaaang!!!
"Kyaa- Aaaaah!!!"
Her skin shifted to cosmic hues upon receiving my power, blasting straight through the building and rocketing into the sky. It evoked someone in skintight S-marked spandex with a red cape soaring about.