Graduation Exam and the Pull of Home
Not long after her career counseling session with the instructor, Yuna applied for her graduation exam.
The graduation requirements on Kairon Planet were straightforward: pass all required courses with at least a minimum score, then apply for and pass the exam.
Up until now, she had aced classes like zero-gravity space combat, basic laws on avatars and constellations, monster response tactics, introductory martial arts, and more.
It might not be straight A+ across the board, but at least solid A's. She hadn't fallen behind in any classes—she just hadn't qualified for early graduation. And with her passing the customized course as well, she had more than enough qualifications to take the exam.
"Trainee Yuna, applying for Sector 71, C-Class Combat Specialization graduation exam. That you?"
"Yes! That's me!"
"Alright, let's get started. The test is hostage rescue and monster extermination in an urban environment."
The graduation exam wasn't held on the continent where she had been staying, but on a small island on the planet. Since she was applying as a combat-specialized avatar stationed on a planet, the content involved taking down enemies in a city by herself.
If she had chosen planetary pioneer forces as her career path, it would test combat ability in extreme environments. For non-combat fields like knowledge, arts, or special abilities, the exam would be elsewhere.
"There are hostages possessed by psychic parasitic monsters in that visible area, and fast-growing monsters roaming the city streets. Use the provided intel to restore order to the city as quickly as possible."
"Yes, sir!"
"I'll give you prep time. Gear up with basic equipment and check your condition within three minutes."
The city was artificially created for the test. Naturally, I could observe it through the constellation's view, so I knew the details. AI robots playing civilians. Parasitic monsters trapped in mannequins, emitting eerie auras as they twitched slightly. Six-legged tentacle creatures confined in container-like buildings. Unmanned weapons and surveillance cameras ready in case the avatar got in danger.
It was a technological showcase built solely for testing combat prowess.
Constellation, Whispering Star Cluster, cheers on its avatar.
"Hah... Yes. Thank you."
Yuna gave a small bow to the empty air in greeting.
Beep—tap tap tap.
At the instructor's signal, she drew power from her entire body and charged forward.
Combat-type avatars are essential to the Super Galactic Empire Federation. Sure, there are space fleets and armies armed with sci-fi tech, but due to versatility, efficiency, and cost issues...
It's cheaper for a magic-type avatar to burn mana and materials on massive spells than to launch a spaceship for orbital bombardment. Against high-intel guerrilla monsters in urban areas, a single search-specialized avatar can wipe them out quickly.
Space monsters don't just spawn on fringe federation planets. They occur naturally or from 'seeds' of planet-eroding monsters landing on worlds.
And now, I understood why avatars are coveted even in this sci-fi setting.
Tatata!
Yuna, emitting a pure white glow from her body, dashed at high speed through the AI robots.
Following intel from her pre-issued handheld device, she raced deep into the city.
Boom!
Androids leaped from an alley, swinging clubs—but she didn't flinch, smashing them barehanded. The machines playing monsters shattered under her faintly glowing fists.
Watching her bold combat, my eyes naturally drifted to her martial arts. Proof I still clung to my humanity. I didn't force my gaze away; I savored it slowly.
"Hah!"
Her sleek combat suit clung to her toned figure, highlighting feminine curves that popped where they should and dipped where they ought—like a model, but...
Crack!—System shutdown.
Wrapped in Cosmic Power, Yuna dominated with martial arts-like barehanded techniques. She was unmistakably superhuman.
Her talent leaned more toward freeform martial combat than rigid techniques, so she wore a thin, mobility-focused suit. Special gloves boosted punch power and power transmission. Footwear like cloth socks but with defense and agility enhancements.
Like a superheroine from my past life's movies.
The weakened, confined monster turned to mush. The translucent parasite in the mannequin was yanked out by force.
Kieeeek!!!
"Haat!"
A surprise test? An alarm blared, and a cockroach-like monster burst out—but she swiftly punched it away.
No damage to the civilian AI robots, so bonus points maybe?
—Beeeep! Test complete!
"Trainee Yuna, congratulations on graduating. You pass."
"Woo! Thank you!"
"You're already polished in combat. We look forward to your exploits."
Her face lit up with a fresh smile at the instructor's approval. Hand on her slim waist, she struck a cocky pose, gazing into the air.
"Constellation! I passed! Hehe!"
Constellation, Whispering Star Cluster, congratulates its avatar's success.
"Heh. Hehehe..."
It really felt like watching a superhero movie.
Yuna, fresh off completing Kairon Planet. My first avatar, officially registering with the federation, filling out paperwork, beaming with happiness.
She thought graduation meant a cushy life ahead... but now...
"Hmm. Some planets have periodic special breeds popping up. These conditions are weird."
She was racking her brain over job choices.
Constellation, Whispering Star Cluster, says take it easy.
"Hee. As expected, only you worry about me, Constellation!"
The Super Galactic Empire Federation is far vaster than people imagine. Trillions of stars in this galaxy alone, plus countless star systems orbiting them.
The federation doesn't control the entire galaxy, but recognized as galactic overlords by the galaxy spirit constellation Silent Starlight, they hold vast territory.
"This is tricky. Even filtering conditions leaves thousands of options."
Constellation, Whispering Star Cluster, says must be nice being so popular.
"Of course—I'm an avatar. Other-dimensional constellations come with prestige guarantees."
Space monsters pop up anywhere. More planetary avatars, the better. Combat personnel with unique abilities are indispensable.
Thus, Kairon graduates are hot commodities everywhere. Especially one contracted to an other-dimensional constellation like Yuna—her being the first adds a premium.
Constellations invest heavily in their first avatars. Snag that one for your planet, and future contracts might come from you too.
"Constellations can't make avatars in bulk, after all."
Many constellations make avatars, but never mass-produce them... because Silent Starlight, the galaxy's god, regulates their numbers appropriately.
I briefly checked the info-AI provided to other-dimensional constellations via my main body senses. A cooldown before you can contract more avatars.
Silent Starlight reeked of that Outer God who kept calling herself "this lady"—Nut's influence.
"Constellation. I've decided."
As I poked at the processed info-AI again after a while, Yuna messaged me from that dimension.
"I want to go back to my home planet and work there. See my late parents' graves, catch up with friends... Ratan supported me too, after all."
Constellation, Whispering Star Cluster, supports its avatar's choice.
Visiting parents' graves. Bragging to friends. Maybe telling her late parents she succeeded alone.
Could an avatar's soul-manipulating powers summon the dead? Probably banned by ethics laws.
Seeing the longing in her eyes stirred pity. Superheroes in movies shrug off loved ones' deaths, but my chosen avatar was deeply human and ordinary.
"Thank you so much. This is all thanks to you, Constellation... My parents would surely be happy too."
Her downcast eyes glistened with tears.
-_-"