Avatar Exchange Meeting - (2)
[You created an avatar?]
[Yes. As I mentioned before, I also became interested.]
According to the constellation classification of that dimension, Nyseria is a naturally occurring galactic spirit entity.
If it became known that a great galactic spirit entity—the only one in the entire galaxy—had come from another dimension, it would have caused quite a commotion.
But while following Lee Yuna's activities, I never heard such news.
Perhaps she didn't reveal it because she dislikes commotion?
[With the help of my avatar, I'm trying to create a temporary vessel over there. Could I receive your assistance as well?]
[Yes. I will instruct the servitor created by Your Greatness to seek you out. May I ask the name of your avatar?]
[Lee Yuna. She lives on a planet called Ratan.]
After finishing a brief conversation with Nyseria, I searched through my mind for various bits of knowledge, then turned my gaze across dimensions.
To where Lee Yuna was attending something called an Avatar Exchange Meeting.
---
The Material Realm, a space where mortals exist with predetermined lifespans.
Long ago, the Galactic Empire, having expanded into space, came to forget their faith in gods.
Phenomena once attributed to gods were all explained by science, and the military might of the Galactic Empire was said to be no less than that of the gods.
The gods—classified as single-planet restricted entities or naturally occurring planetary spirit entities—lost their worshippers.
Some gods, the planetary deities renamed as planetary spirit entities, strongly opposed this.
Just 215 years after the Galactic Empire was established, war broke out between several planetary spirit entities and the Empire.
The result was, predictably, victory for the Galactic Empire. Humans became even more arrogant and began to view divinity as merely another powerful species.
At this rate, immortals would be completely trampled under the feet of mortals.
That's when numerous immortals, unable to watch the mortals' unchecked dominance, stepped forward.
Divine beings who ruled multiple star systems. Star deities radiating power like the sun. Divinities manifested as nebulae...
This led to the Interstellar Convention of Imperial Year 390.
An agreement with various conditions to end the conflict between immortals and mortals and establish mutual respect.
"Humanity was incredibly arrogant at this time. They became too proud for bringing the Constellations to the negotiating table."
Hundreds of years later, the Galactic Empire, which considered itself equal to gods, faced true transcendent beings.
The real "God" who ruled an entire galaxy.
"If the great galactic spirit entity, Silent Starlight, hadn't revealed herself, this universe would have been truly chaotic. She made us aware of dimensional instability and created the Avatar Contract Law..."
Following the words of the blonde man on the platform, holograms move around explaining the history.
It's good to learn about this era's history, but why is this being explained? I was told this was an Avatar Exchange Meeting.
Moreover, the surrounding scene resembles a banquet hall where people are eating and drinking abundantly.
Some avatars don't even glance at the platform, focusing only on eating.
"What is this made of? It's quite tasty."
"According to Chapter 5, Section 2 of the Arterer Swordsmanship, the correct path for drawing up inner energy is..."
"My Constellation's body is the ocean, so always at the coastline..."
Despite this, the man continued speaking enthusiastically.
[Constellation Whispering Constellation expresses confusion at the man's lengthy explanation.]
After seeing my message, Lee Yuna opened her mouth slightly.
Savoring a cocktail at the exchange meeting banquet hall, she clearly appeared bored.
"Ah. That man must have deep religious devotion to the Constellations."
I believe his name was Mu-Lacrima.
A classmate of Lee Yuna from Planet Chiron. Also the son of a major corporation chairman dealing with cutting-edge technology—a silver spoon, in other words.
Perhaps that's why. Lee Yuna's eyes weren't very kind when looking at him.
She glanced at him with eyes full of envy and jealousy toward his privileged background, then resumed drinking her cocktail.
"Gulp. This is really delicious."
"Isn't it? Arcadia Bloom is tasty, right? The ethereal foam and sap from the Jereb tree bark blend so well together..."
A green-haired woman suddenly joined in.
Pointed, long ears. Revealing clothes. She appears to be an alien avatar rather than human.
"What? Veira, was this a specialty from your planet?"
"Of course~ It's thanks to the blessing bestowed by World Tree that Upholds the Sky!"
"Is that the Constellation who's your planet's World Tree?"
The avatar naturally began conversing with Lee Yuna.
Veira, who resembled an elf from creative works in my previous life, started chattering away.
She must be the one who invited Lee Yuna to the Avatar Exchange Meeting.
I've seen them getting along well on Planet Chiron. They seem compatible personality-wise.
"Oh, right. Yunaaa. Our Constellation wants to talk with your Constellation, it seems?"
With me?
* * *
Constellation, World Tree that Upholds the Sky.
Despite being classified as a single-planet restricted entity, a divinity nearly equivalent to a planetary spirit entity.
Its true identity was a tribal deity worshipped by Veira's race, the Elita people—a World Tree.
The official term was Single-Planet Life Tree, wasn't it?
The massive tree from fantasy worlds, exactly as I imagined.
A plant that attained divinity. The pinnacle of all plant species.
"Our Constellation saw that cosmic power you use and became interested. So, Whispering Constellation? That's who they want to talk with."
"But our Constellation is from another dimension, and doesn't have a temporary vessel to descend..."
"They said they'd like to set up an appointment for later, if possible?"
The sight of two beautiful women staring into space, then looking at each other while conversing.
Constellations communicating through the mouths of mortal avatars. It's somewhat strange.
I suppose it can't be helped since regular messages, unlike avatar contract messages, are only visible to that Constellation's avatar.
[Constellation Whispering Constellation conveys that you should just speak into the air.]
"Our Constellation is watching, so you can just speak directly..."
"Aaah, I understand! Whispering Constellation."
I'm not sure if it's just World Tree that Upholds the Sky or if other Constellations are like this too.
They could just speak into the air... Ah, perhaps they feel it lacks dignity to converse with non-avatars, mortals.
I'd prefer to skip the formality of communicating through each other's avatars.
Maybe that Constellation has a special personality. Is it because it's a tree with divinity?
"Constellation from another dimension. Our Constellation, World Tree that Upholds the Sky, says they would very much like to meet you someday."
[Constellation Whispering Constellation conveys that they will visit after creating a temporary vessel.]
"My Constellation has agreed. They say they'll visit personally?"
"Thank you! They said they would greatly welcome you when that time comes!"
The elf woman bowed her head to the empty air.
When I'm able to descend to the Material Realm, I'd like to see this so-called World Tree in person.
Here it's given special names like Single-Planet Life Tree, but in the 21st century, a World Tree was something sacred.
I heard it was a Constellation that helped establish the Interstellar Convention that halted the Galactic Empire's unchecked advance.
I'd like to meet it directly and hear about the situation back then.
"Hmm. So, Yuna, how have you been lately..."
Flash—
Just as their conversation was about to continue, a dazzling light burst from the platform.
Veira and Lee Yuna turned their attention to Mu-Lacrima, the man standing there.
"...Therefore! I, who invited all my fellow classmates gathered here today, declare!"
Multicolored lights sparkled around Mu-Lacrima.
Some technique to enhance his speech? But why use something like that at such a modest gathering?
"Among the classmates who graduated together from Planet Chiron, the strongest avatar will receive materials to aid in their Constellation's descent ritual and many credits!!!"
With cheers from several avatars, the exchange meeting officially began.
* * *
A tournament-style duel taking place on a wide plain.
Hundreds of avatars who left the banquet hall gathered on the grassland to hear the organizer's explanation.
Here and there, people muttered to themselves about dedicating this battle's glory to someone, seeking strength from their contracted Constellations.
True to its name as an exchange meeting, various mechanisms and rules existed to prevent serious injuries.
Prohibition of micro-beam weapons. Ban on equipment that enhances special abilities. Restrictions on main weapons, and so on.
"I'll step in if things get dangerous."
A mature avatar who came out of interest in these promising newcomers served as referee, while two avatars who had taken their positions in the spacious area faced each other.
On one side was an ordinary human woman. On the other, a man who looked like a monk with three eyes.
"Avatar contracted with Whispering Constellation. Lee Yuna."
"Dazakk, contracted with Twilight Terminator."
After reciting their contracted Constellation names and their own names, they took their stances.
Lee Yuna assumed a fighting stance, while Dazakk simply stood in place with his palms joined.
Similar to an ordinary human but with three eyes in total, including one on his forehead—an alien species.
A red aura began to glow faintly around his joined hands.
[Constellation Whispering Constellation cheers for their avatar.]
Beep—
Lee Yuna smiled slightly at my encouragement. Then came the whistle sound.
The match begins— Huh?
Thwack. Crash, bang, bang!!
"Guh!"
"Avatar Lee Yuna, victory!"
It seems my avatar is much stronger than I thought.