Central Avatar Research Director Vivian - (4)

Vivian, the director of the Central Avatar Research Institute, boldly declared on broadcast that she was the federation's top researcher and that the constellation she contracted with was the best. I watched her outrageous behavior with a sense of amusement.

Then I saw the host scrambling to smooth things over.

"Ah, haha... So what Ms. Vivian means is that it's best to partner with an extraordinary constellation for research~ Something like that, right?"

Her eyebrow twitched slightly, but my incarnation simply shut her mouth and let it slide. Relieved, the host quickly moved on to the next topic.

"Ahem. Not long ago, there was a major terrorist incident on Gaiana Planet. It was a huge event that exposed the existence of alien constellations."

As the host spoke, a hologram flickered and shifted in the air.

Gaiana Planet. Avatar contest. The terrorist attack that brought alien constellations to the surface.

"It's said that in this horrific terrorist attack where two constellations went missing, the first to warn about alien constellations was the Whispering Star Cluster, the constellation contracted to Ms. Vivian."

"Yes."

"Allow me to express our gratitude once more to that constellation on this occasion."

The universe is vast, so it's no surprise such things exist. Vermin sneaking into the mortal federation. I didn't know how long they'd been hiding, but since that guy left behind his right-hand man, we could track them down.

They were developing a superpower detector that could sense the alien constellations' unfamiliar powers too.

"I understand that many research institutes are analyzing the fragments of the alien constellation's temporary body captured at that time. Is the Central Avatar Research Institute, where Ms. Vivian serves as director, also investigating it?"

"Yes. We analyzed those fragments and achieved the expected results."

What Vivian was saying now had passed federation censorship. It was packed with intent to remind the public of the dangers of alien constellations.

"Analysis of the alien constellation's temporary body fragments revealed that it was infused with the power of an extremely high-ranking constellation. It infiltrates the mental realm of contacted targets, causing brainwashing and mental corruption."

"In that case, indeed. The Sword on the Ash Heap, who severed all contracts with avatars and vanished..."

"It's safe to assume it's too late for those two constellations who went missing on Gaiana Planet and have been unreachable since."

As expected, backlash erupted in the real-time chat window. Even on federation public broadcast, with endorsements from me and the Owner of the Blue Breath, it was inevitable.

A hero of a single planet who ascended to immortality—hard to believe one could fall. On the home planet where the Sword on the Ash Heap was born, rituals honoring his grace were still held, they said.

"Hmm... I see. Thank you for the clear answer, Director Vivian."

Constellations are immortals, but that doesn't mean invincible. They have no natural lifespan, but anything below Planet Spirit could be killed by mortal power.

Of course, even the lowest Single Planet Restricted Spirit Bodies required orbital bombardment.

"To think they can reach out to constellations too... It's really worrying. If alien constellations infiltrate the federation like on Gaiana Planet, is there any way to counter it?"

"There are countermeasures. We're developing devices to detect the unique superpower waves emitted only by alien constellations, and avatars specialized in detection superpowers should sense something off."

Even now, avatars under orders from above were on high alert. Others were refining superpower detectors, and federation constellations were vigilant too.

If alien constellations invaded again, they wouldn't go down without a fight.

The heavy mood didn't last long. The host kept lightening the atmosphere.

"That's a relief. Hearing Ms. Vivian makes me feel a bit safer. Come to think of it, the alien constellations on Gaiana Planet were repelled thanks to the avatars' efforts."

After that, she appropriately praised Vivian and the avatars. Excluding Vivian's occasional self-praise, the broadcast ended smoothly.

Maybe because it was live with pre-set questions and answers. I'd hoped for some improvisation, but none came.

"Today's good, right?"

"Saw the real-time reactions? Better than expected?"

The PD and crew left the institute beaming over high ratings. After watching them go, I turned my view to Vivian.

She stood in the director's private office, gazing out the window. I sent a constellation message via will manipulation.

It was true, but there are times to hold back. Homo sapiens sapiens are social animals. Being envied and ostracized isn't good for mental health.

"Hm."

She saw my message and replied promptly.

"Criminals can't understand geniuses like me by nature."

"As long as one person truly acknowledges my abilities, that's enough."

Many recognized Vivian's talents, but I sensed that wasn't what she meant. Did she crave someone who could face her arrogant demeanor and words without bias or prejudice?

I recalled the people around Vivian so far. Researchers and avatars at the Central Avatar Research Institute. Broadcast staff ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠and officials... A subtle envy and inferiority in their expressions.

In my previous life, I might've looked at celebrities ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the same way. Honestly, finding someone like that would be tough.

Vivian's lips, which looked a bit dazed, languid, and blunt, curved slightly.

In a calm, serene tone, but with conviction...

"The one talking to me right now."

Ah. She left me speechless.

After the broadcast, all eyes turned to Vivian. The genius director of the Central Avatar Research Institute, who had rejected suitors from other constellations, appeared for an avatar interview. Her arrogant statements on air, her abilities, the powers revealed by the third incarnation of a Galaxy Spirit from another dimension on public broadcast.

Avatars are mortals bound to constellations, agents wielding influence in the material world. So it was natural for interest to focus on my third incarnation, known as a Galaxy Spirit.

Unlike the first or second, Vivian's fame spanned the entire federation. So I'd worried about her arrogance...

Internet reactions were better than expected. Partly because my third incarnation Vivian was genuinely respected, but it felt like they ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠were watching their step.

Maybe because of me? No one dares trash an avatar contracted to a Galaxy Spirit. Even from another dimension.

With my heavy involvement in this dimension widely known, it made sense. I realized this fame firsthand thanks to my first incarnation Yuna's contributions.

It came from Yuna occasionally checking the internet on her portable terminal.

"...What's this now, Constellation?! Did you really contract with me because..."

"Why are there so many pics of me swinging my fist?! Is someone systematically spreading them?!"

Summarizing that post: 'Pull off eccentric acts to catch a Galaxy Spirit constellation's eye!'

On Yuna's terminal, news articles showed people trying eccentric acts based on this theory proliferating.

A weird trend: Do something unique to stand out to constellations. It had spread federation-wide, churning out headlines.

Not like that.

"Seems right though? [New avatar contractors skyrocketing compared to last quarter]..."

Even other constellations were encouraging mortals' antics. Avatar contractors increasing?

Probably hard for tiny AI info-bodies to find pleasing mortals.

...Right?