The Avatar Challenge - (3)
The Avatar Challenge on Planet Gaiana spans several weeks.
The first day involved basic physical measurements. The second day tested special ability compatibility. Days of testing the mortals' abilities and will continued one after another.
"Everyone's test results and rankings for today will be sent to your terminals!"
The tests that ran from morning to evening, continuing day after day, caused considerable fatigue among the participants. But perhaps because everyone was motivated by the possibility of being chosen by a Constellation, the atmosphere remained one of acceptance.
"Huff... pant. Obstacle course in a gravity tunnel? They're really making us do everything."
"I didn't expect it to be this difficult when we haven't even been here a week."
"I hope they won't make us withstand mental attacks later."
"Let's hurry back to get some biotherapy and sleep."
The participants were assigned to temporary accommodations in a nearby city. Invited guests and officials were allocated to a large dome-shaped building.
Lee Yuna and Beatrice chatted while reading the explanations sent to their small terminals. Unlike the participants, they already knew all the test contents that had not yet been implemented.
"The seven Constellations are looking for talents with crisis management abilities, quick judgment, potential, and mental strength..."
"This feels more like special forces selection than a challenge."
"Nothing to say if this is what the Constellations want, but winning will be tough."
"Still, some who drop out midway might end up with Avatar contracts, don't you think?"
Seven Single-Planet Limited Spirit Entities.
Countless mortals yearning for their attention.
Though they might be considered half-rate or nearly mortal in the world of gods, even they exist in a different dimension compared to mortals. After all, they can destroy islands with their individual power, change weather, and leave marks on maps.
[Constellation, Whispering Constellation is curious about the Constellations participating in the challenge.]
"Well... there's Blazing Black Flame whose main body is an active volcano, Master of the Blue Breath who takes the form of a massive dragon, and..."
"There's also Sword Upon Ashes who ascended to become a Constellation after gathering faith in human form."
If a mortal ascended to become a Constellation, they must have accomplished great feats. Although due to inherent limitations, they couldn't reach beyond Planetary Spirit Entity status...
A Constellation in the form of a massive dragon? I'd like to see that up close. I wonder if it has a cintamani orb like in fiction.
"Isn't that person someone who was active hundreds of years ago? Their home planet hasn't been part of the Federation for long, but they were worshipped as a war hero before ascending."
"Some have said they'll descend in temporary bodies during the competition."
[Constellation, Whispering Constellation shows curiosity about the Constellations just mentioned.]
"The Avatars of Constellations who expressed interest in the challenge are here as guests. Would you like me to relay a message to them?"
No. I want to descend in a temporary body and see for myself.
I'm curious about what someone who became a god from human origins looks like, and what form the dragon Constellation takes.
---
Constellation, Master of the Blue Breath.
A Single-Planet Limited Spirit Entity whose main body takes the form of a massive dragon.
"Such distinguished guests have arrived. This humble one is Hwayeon, the current dragon shrine maiden."
"Dragon shrine maiden? You're contracted with Master of the Blue Breath, correct?"
"If you mean one who serves the will of the Azure Dragon, then yes, that would be me."
A maiden of about 18 with clear blue hair. The Avatar, dressed in traditional Eastern attire with a hairpin, bowed respectfully.
"There's no need to be so formal! Please speak comfortably!"
"I cannot do that. You are honored guests mentioned by the Dragon Deity. How could I address you casually?"
Whoosh-
As the shrine maiden who served the Azure Dragon finished speaking, blue energy flowed from her body, forming the shape of a blue dragon in midair.
A temporary body? Or something similar to a mental projection?
"Humans. Is it true that the deity you serve wishes to see me?"
A long serpentine body similar to a snake. Four legs. A horned head.
Blue scales and a cintamani orb held in its mouth.
It really is a dragon. The dragon I've seen in creative works in my previous life.
"Oh! We greet you, Constellation. I am..."
"Enough with the formalities. Just answer my question. Is it true that a Galactic Deity from another dimension is watching this place?"
Should I take it as a pet?
* * *
The Azure Dragon I saw for the first time was incredibly cute.
Beautifully shining blue scales. A voice that seemed majestic yet delicate. A smooth, elongated body.
They say its main body is enormously large, but even so, it would be adorably small compared to even a single planet.
"Why are you silent, humans?"
"Well... I'm sorry. Our Constellation isn't responding..."
"God?! If you're watching, please say something..."
Look at it trying to maintain dignity in front of mortals.
I wanted to bring it to my dimension and pet it until it calmed down.
Ah. I can't help myself.
I should descend in a temporary body and touch it.
Whoosh-
"Hmm?!"
"Constellation?"
The blue dragon cast an interested gaze at me as I appeared surrounded by golden light.
Though it was clearly a temporary body, its main form would likely be similar.
"So you are the galaxy from another dimension... hmm?"
Grab. Pat pat.
A voice like rolling jade beads. The forced dignity it puts on in front of mortals.
The feeling of smooth scales. The dragon's face changed to something bizarre and embarrassed.
"P-please stop. Even if you are a galactic deity, this..."
"Hmm."
The dragon twisted its body in midair, escaping my touch.
It feels like watching a cute stag beetle being shy. I wonder if it would come to my dimension with me?
Somehow ignoring the lukewarm gazes of the Avatars, the dragon tries to maintain its dignity.
"Ahem! Ahem! I am Cheongyeon Seongju. Please call me Cheongyeon."
Cheongyeon must be its real name. Master of Stars? Such ambition.
Perhaps a desire to someday be promoted to a Planetary Spirit Entity? Even more adorable.
"Would you like to..."
The words "become my pet" rose to my throat but went back down.
As with World Tree that Upholds the Sky, when I see lower deities, I often think I want to raise them.
"...let's be friends."
Indeed. Its appearance meets my aesthetic standards.
* * *
After the Avatars left the room, saying they couldn't intrude on a conversation between Constellations, my hand was already stroking the Azure Dragon's scales.
"...While I understand you are an unfathomable being, I would appreciate if you would stop touching me."
"I apologize. Your scales are just so beautiful."
"Ahem! Ahem! Well, they have been refined over thousands of years..."
"Is that a cintamani orb in your mouth? The one that controls rain and clouds?"
"Yes. I obtained it when I ascended as a dragon after a thousand years of training."
Even its aloofness is cute. How does one handle a dragon?
I wonder if it would like it if I made something similar to a cintamani orb for it.
"So for what reason did you wish to meet me?"
"Just curiosity. But now that I see you, I find you even more adorable."
"...So you have no specific business. Then, may I ask you a question?"
A question?
"Do true dragon deities exist in other dimensions, unlike half-formed ones like myself?"
"In this dimension?"
"Yes. I don't yet have the capacity to fully control even a single star, so I cannot know... but I've heard your dimension has completely different laws."
Since the Outer Gods governing dimensions are different, the laws are indeed different.
That aside, dragon deity? Among the gods created by Shub, there were none similar to dragons.
"There aren't any. Why do you ask?"
"I was originally just a serpent that gained sentience, but through a thousand years of training, I gained divinity and ascended as an Azure Dragon. Isn't it natural to have aspirations to rise higher?"
"You want to meet a higher being and seek guidance?"
"That's correct."
The conversation with the dragon that followed was quite enjoyable.
Enough to be worth enduring the constraints of a temporary body.
Ascending from serpent to dragon and becoming a deity... it's similar to cultivation.
The reason it formed contracts with humans was to hopefully find some clues by exerting influence on the Intergalactic Empire Federation.
I was about to invite it to come to my dimension, but it seemed too presumptuous, so I refrained.
The next place the Avatars visited was the accommodation where the Avatars of Sword Upon Ashes—the Constellation who rose to divinity through human power—were staying.
"What business do Whispering Constellation's Avatars have here?"
Two men. One woman.
All wore cold weapons at their waists.
Weapons that seemed out of place in the space age, but perhaps the authority granted by their Constellation only applied to cold weapons.
"Whispering Constellation wants to speak with our Constellation? I'm sorry, but Sword Upon Ashes hasn't sent us any messages for several hours."
"Ah, I see."
"Though they often visit us in temporary bodies to tease us, I'm truly sorry. If our Constellation sends a message later, we'll contact you."
I wanted to meet the Constellation who rose to divinity through human power, but it's a bit disappointing.
They might be busy scouting Avatar candidates while descended in a temporary body. There shouldn't be any special problems.
For now, I'll watch the Avatar Challenge and then perhaps try creating some life forms.
---
The problem occurred the very next day.
The Avatars contracted with Constellation Sword Upon Ashes delivered shocking news with stiff faces.
"...Our Constellation suddenly terminated the contract. With me and all other Avatars."