Central Avatar Research Institute Director Vivian - (2)
"As an avatar acting on behalf of the Constellation's will, I have a question for you. Are you truly a Galaxy Spirit?"
I'd figured a question like this might come someday. But isn't this a bit too soon? Even if I claimed to be an Outer God with Galaxy Spirits as my kin, they probably couldn't handle it. But Vivian isn't the type to back down easily. She's overcome her fear to ask me directly about the truth.
The Constellation Whispering Star Cluster asks how much you know about Constellation classifications.
"As for the classifications of Constellations... I know far more than the average person. After all, I'm the Federation's top genius."
To rise to director of an avatar research institute without a Constellation contract herself—that's genuine genius. It's proof of her exceptional analytical and synthesizing skills when it comes to superhuman abilities.
"It doesn't seem like you're asking about the general concepts... Are you testing how much I know?"
The Constellation Whispering Star Cluster says to tell whatever you know—it doesn't matter.
"...There is a vast difference between Single Planet Restricted Spirit Body Constellations and Planet Spirit Constellations. Those known to fully control a single planet act as if the planet itself has gained a personality. They remain unscathed even under bombardment from space fleets."
She's preemptively guessing my intent and unloading her knowledge.
"The gap between Constellations below Planet God level and Planet Spirits is even greater than commonly known. Many of them are effectively immortal unless the planet itself is destroyed..."
The Constellation Whispering Star Cluster asks if you know the difference between Galaxy Spirits and Planet Spirits.
"Yes. The difference between Galaxy Spirit Constellations and Planet Spirit Constellations is far greater than that between single-planet Constellations and Planet Spirits..."
There's a huge gap between Planet Spirits, who fully dominate a single planet, and those below them. It's like the difference between a fantasy world's creator god and the anthropomorphic deities of Greek and Roman myths.
Of course, the disparity between Galaxy Spirits and everything below them is exponentially larger. Even gods controlling hundreds of planets are mere insects to a Galaxy Spirit.
So, if I just play it vague like this, she'll buy it.
The Constellation Whispering Star Cluster states that it is the stage beyond Galaxy Spirit.
"...The next stage, you say?"
Mortals have limits to their abilities, so imagining beyond that isn't easy. I hope she'll accept it at this point.
"Th-that... then...!"
My confirmation makes Vivian's voice tremble. Up until now, it was just a hypothesis, but my affirmation unleashes a flood of emotions in her—trembling, awe, relief, conviction, surprise. I can see them exploding outward.
Received a Fragment of Truth from your Contracted Constellation.
Maybe it's because she heard knowledge that's better left unknown. The status window—a power I granted—pops up on its own. I've revealed to a mortal that divinities beyond Galaxy Spirits exist, and the system recognizes it as an achievement. I can see the changes from the Cosmic Power seeping into her mind: her psyche grows more resilient, transcending human limits.
Strictly speaking, though, I'm not just the next stage after Galaxy Spirit. It's like how dust can't evolve into a human—the gap is that immense.
Suddenly—
"Indeed! Then could it be that you belong to a galactic cluster? What should we call it? Supergalactic Entity? Conceptual Entity?"
Vivian leaps to her feet, shouting. The trembling mortal gripped by fear of the unknown is gone. Now, she's the Federation's top researcher, thrilled by a new discovery.
"Constellation, if it's not too rude, could you tell me more about beings like yourself? I'd love to announce this to the academic world..."
The Constellation Whispering Star Cluster appears troubled.
It's a relief her scholarly zeal overrides her fear of me. But this is just a temporary fix. In time, doubts and fears might resurface. Someday, I might have to explain it all to my avatars.
Vivian was lost in some euphoric haze for a while. She snapped out of it when someone knocked on her private office door.
Knock knock.
"Director, it's me."
"John-Jerard? Come in."
The knocker was senior researcher John-Jerard, director of the Central Avatar Research Institute. The lanky man entered cautiously. I recalled he was an avatar too.
"I'm here about the fragments of the temporary body from that alien Constellation rampaging on Gaiana Planet."
"...Yes."
"The Federation commissioned us to analyze the alien Constellation fragments, and we've confirmed genetic identity with the space monsters."
"Genetic identity—what exactly?"
"Yes. Not perfectly identical, of course, but they contain activated neo-genes absent in normal lifeforms. The telomere repeat sequences and chromatin structure in the samples themselves..."
John-Jerard launches into a tirade. But Vivian's gaze is fixed somewhere beside his face.
"We've also checked the non-canonical nucleobases used by space monsters—Z-cycle nucleotides expanding in certain regions... Director? Are you listening?"
"Ah, yes, yes. Go on."
A status window floats to the right of John-Jerard's face. As the granter of her power, I see exactly what Vivian does—a blue panel displaying the target's info via Cosmic Power. That must be the new feature from the recent message. Good—I've granted her the real deal. A status window has to do at least this much.
From then on, I started observing Vivian's daily life. I'd studied Yuna and Beatrix enough; it was time to focus on my third avatar.
The Central Avatar Research Institute, the Federation's premier facility. Its director, Vivian, seemed surprisingly idle.
"These are the new research projects for this month, Director."
"Hm... Avatar bodily mutations and transcendence correlations... Nothing catches my interest."
She leaves external presentations, research, and reports to senior researcher John-Jerard, only dipping into projects that intrigue her or setting overall direction. Probably due to her age. She's brilliant, but lacks the experience, so the senior researcher handles most tasks.
That said, she doesn't slack off entirely.
"Hm... This output seems a bit low. To capture alien monster waveforms undetectable by superpower sensors, we need..."
"Ah, Director, take a look at this too!"
"A classification chart of avatars' abilities from the Federation database. It's too early to systematize this with current tech. More research is needed."
She offers occasional advice on ongoing studies, reviews reports, and gives final approvals—places where her input is essential.
The Constellation Whispering Star Cluster praises the abilities of its third avatar.
"Hmph. These are trivial matters for one possessing humanity's pinnacle intellect."
Her knowledge spans not just superpowers, avatars, and Constellations, but a broad range besides. You can tell from how seasoned researchers treat her relatively young self.
"Director Vivian, I hear you've contracted with a Galaxy Spirit Constellation? Congratulations!"
"Is that why you turned down all those other Constellations' advances—to contract with the Whispering Star Cluster?! Haha!"
John-Jerard—whether close aide or fatherly figure—approaches with a pleased smile.
"I saw the power you received from the Whispering Star Cluster: a status window."
"Yes, that's right."
"A status window—straight out of a game protagonist's arsenal. Guess that makes me an NPC. Haha!"
Vivian glares at the senior researcher's playful tone, then sighs.
"...So, what do you want this time?"
"A media outlet wants a solo interview with you. As always."
"Tell them no."
"But this time it's Starlink Times. You know them—the Federation's top avatar interview network. You should start considering some public activities."
The Constellation Whispering Star Cluster asks about this media outlet called Starlink Times.
Vivian's explanation was straightforward. Starlink Times, the Federation's most famous avatar media network. They invite renowned avatars as guests for in-depth discussions, earning high regard. In a way, they bridge the psychological gap between avatars and civilians. Being invited signals a certain fame, and showing casual sides of celebrities builds familiarity.
"...That's Starlink Times. It doesn't appeal to me."
Now that I'm known as a Galaxy Spirit, my avatars were bound to get invites. But not first avatar Yuna or princess Beatrix—Vivian. She's probably the most famous and well-known to the public.
The Constellation Whispering Star Cluster asks why.
"Because few can keep up with or comprehend my radiant intellect."
"Erm, Director... It's a broadcast, so maybe show a bit of humility? People like that."
"I was merely being honest."
The Federation's top intellect (self-proclaimed) struggles to grasp the common mind. It makes sense for someone in her mid-20s running the top institute—social skills take a backseat.
The Constellation Whispering Star Cluster encourages its third avatar to participate in the interview.
"...Understood."
"Ahem. Well, it's live, so please be a little careful..."
Maybe after a few interviews, her personality will soften a bit?