Career Path Exploration
It's been a year since I started watching over Yuna, the avatar who contracted with me, as she trained. She's gotten pretty skilled with Cosmic Power now, and the instructors say she meets the graduation standards.
"Generally, martial arts are best for close-quarters combat. Magic or shamanism for ranged fights. Psychic energy or superhuman abilities work well against spiritual bodies or parasitic lifeforms. But trainees don't need to learn everything. Master one thing you're talented in, and your teammates can cover the rest."
A sense of leisure had started to creep into the trainees' eyes. Some avatars had already graduated early from the Kairon Planet training center and moved on. I was starting to feel bored with the same old scenes when Yuna, back in her dorm and lying down, reached out for advice.
"Lord Constellation. Where should I go?"
Sprawled out on the bed like a starfish, she murmured softly while staring blankly at the ceiling. Having gotten used to avatar training, she was starting to worry about her future.
"I thought about joining the planetary pioneers fighting space monsters fiercely, or heading to a frontier planet in the Super Galactic Empire Federation... Monsters are obvious enemies, but they're scary too. Looking at senior avatars' records is intimidating... And there's all the expectations from my home planet. Sigh. Sorry."
A mix of emotions flickered in her somewhat dazed eyes. She'd lost her parents to space monsters, been chosen by a constellation, and become an object of envy as an avatar—but now, facing her career head-on, her head hurt.
It's natural to fear monsters or agonize over paths. She's no mental superhuman; she's still a rough gem.
Constellation Whispering Star Cluster says it's fine to think slowly.
"But... I'm your first avatar, Lord Constellation... The first other-dimensional contractor from our system, and the very first from our planet too."
The emotions in her eyes were burden, pressure, the stifled frustration of a child crushed by a heavy load.
Contracting with a transcendent constellation makes an avatar a superhuman in itself. Even soldiers injected with enhancers or rebuilt with machines pale compared to an avatar's unique powers.
Mass-produced psychic suppression bombs, anti-spirit weapons, or ethereal countermeasures via pure science? A magic avatar's spell bullet or a shaman avatar's talisman wipes them out. Holy power could sweep them away too.
A hundred soldiers with lightsabers and cutting-edge gear? One avatar with the same equipment could rout them.
Even in this sci-fi world, receiving power from a transcendent being is a massive blessing. So expectations run high for avatars contracted with other-dimensional constellations beyond planet spirit level.
"Just... sorry. For whining like this..."
Her slightly depressed demeanor caught my eye on the metal plate in her hand—a smartphone's evolved form. The screen showed Ratan Planet folks' expectations and admiration.
Her presence still heated up the Ratan Planet community. A year later, at 22, her small-citizen habit of browsing the net remained unchanged.
I hoped she wasn't stressing too much over career choices. I'd been a new grad in the 21st century too, drowning in serious worries like hers.
Constellation Whispering Star Cluster says you don't have to meet people's expectations.
"Huh? But..."
I just wanted her safe. Some constellations use avatars to spread their divine prestige, gather followers, or bask in mortal worship. I had no need for faith. This was another dimension anyway—like visiting with permission from the local Outer Gods. My only attachment was Yuna.
More than Ratan Planet or the federation, I wanted my avatar safe.
Constellation Whispering Star Cluster recommends hearing from senior avatars.
"Ah. Better to ask the counseling instructors than worry alone, right?"
Did my advice help? Yuna's face brightened a bit as she sprang from bed and left the room.
Yuna headed straight to the planetary career counseling center. The avatar instructor, arms crossed as he listened, spoke plainly.
"How about enlisting as a contractor with a decent planet's defense force? Not just my opinion—the other instructors and scholars recommend it too."
"Huh? But the basic aptitude test said frontier planets or pioneer troops..."
"That's just combat power classification. Ignore it."
The counselor gave a clear answer to her dilemma. His immediate response, without much thought, suggested he'd already decided.
"The potential of the Cosmic Power Lord Whispering Star Cluster granted you is limitless. It's a newly discovered power with plenty of research value. Best to gain experience in a safe spot. Any excessive expectations from your home planet? Ignore them. You guard your own life."
Constellation Whispering Star Cluster asks if they will research their own avatar.
"Lord Constellation asks if they'll research me?"
"Ah, 'research' aside—it's just recommending regular checkups. No external pressure or unfair treatment."
His words rang true. With a transcendent constellation watching everything, hiding anything—especially about avatars—would be tough.
"And you're the first avatar for Lord Constellation. First ones hold great meaning for most. Why send an inexperienced one to danger? They wouldn't accept you anyway."
"Uh... why not tell me sooner..."
"Planned to suggest it at graduation."
Back at her dorm with a deflated air, Yuna sat neatly at her desk, gazing at the ceiling as she spoke to me.
"You were right to advise consulting, Lord Constellation. The instructor made sense..."
Constellation Whispering Star Cluster affirms.
But she hesitated, then asked something else.
"Do you have any expectations for me, Lord Constellation? There are countless better people—why choose me as your avatar?"
So this was the real issue. Constellations make avatars for various reasons, but I'd never explained mine to her. Maybe that bred anxiety—fear of sudden disappointment or contract severance.
A bit late, but I needed to clarify.
Constellation Whispering Star Cluster says they felt familiarity with their first avatar.
"Y-Yes? Familiarity...?"
Aesthetic instinct from my 21st-century Earth male days. Pity for her losing parents to space monsters. Beyond chance catching my eye, the biggest reason: familiarity.
Before becoming this body overnight, I'd lived a normal human life like hers—seriously job-hunting, checking planetary communities in the morning, sometimes lounging and cursing the government.
She wasn't a resilient powerhouse or genius. Just an ordinary citizen with average talent. But that drew my will to her.
Constellation Whispering Star Cluster says what they want for their first avatar is happiness.
"...Lord Constellation."
After graduating Kairon Planet, fighting monsters would be daily life—but I hoped she'd find happiness.
- - -
Avatar training planet CJ-3470, aka Kairon. In one dorm section, someone tossed and turned under the covers, sleepless.
Avatars: objects of envy. Constellations: awe-inspiring. Even in a world where tech demystifies gods and wars with constellations rage, they're still clouds above mortals.
Yet... to care this much?
Sure, first avatars get attention, but for an immortal to cherish a mortal like this?
Luckily... seems like a constellation very interested in other dimensions.
Contracts are fortunes, lotteries. Forming one matters, but the constellation's personality and values shape your path.
In that sense... she was pretty lucky.