Grand Lust Sovereign

[Many constellations are interested in the Players of dimension • • •.]

[Many constellations are looking at you.]

The starry sky was back to normal with many stars twinkling in it while the grassy plain was illuminated with a sunny radiance. 

Julien didn't exactly know what had happened, but he was glad that his teammates were safe and the misfortune didn't result in anybody's death.

When the constellation disappeared, Julien remembered the lotus lady's words that stated he wouldn't die. They were indeed true and his faith in her had increased multifold times. 

[The constellation 'The Light of Primordial One' is watching the Novice Players in dimension • • •.]

[The constellation 'Rebel Sage of Heaven' is searching for tea.]

[The constellation 'Demonic Inquisitor' is sipping tea.]

[The constellation 'Sovereign of Shadows' is also sipping tea.]

[The constellation 'Eternal Flame of the Sky' is brewing tea.]

[The constellation 'The Mischievous Changeling' is staring at the constellation 'Eternal Flame of the Sky' while holding an empty teacup.] 

[The constellation 'Eternal Moonlight Sage' is also holding an empty teacup and staring at the constellation 'Eternal Flame of the Sky' with a knowing smile.]

[The constellation 'Wrathful Sky Commander' is glaring at the constellation 'Eternal Moonlight Sage' while holding an empty teacup.] 

[The constellation 'Goddess of Bountiful Fields' is patiently waiting with an empty teacup and admiring the skillful tea brewing of the constellation 'Eternal Flame of the Sky'.]

The sudden system messages baffled Julien and his companions. 

Who were these Gods and what were they doing? And what's with these weird messages? 

"What was that phenomenon?" Jackie's voice cut through Julien's swirling thoughts.

Realizing he was still holding both of them close, his face flushed with embarrassment. He quickly stepped back, clearing his throat before replying, "I have no idea. But whatever it was... it was terrifying."

[The constellation 'The Light of Primordial One' says they know the answer to this question.]

[The constellation 'Rebel Sage of Heaven' states that answers can only be given to Players after a contract has been formed.]

[The constellation 'The Light of Primordial One' has their ears drooping.]

[The constellation 'The Light of Primordial One' is looking at the Novice Players, softly swaying their tail in anticipation.]

[The constellation 'Demonic Inquisitor' urges to get the selection started.]

[The constellation 'Sovereign of Shadows' agrees.]

[The constellation 'Eternal Flame of the Sky' agrees as well.]

[Many constellations have agreed to start the selection.]

[Choosing a Host for the selection process…]

[The constellation 'Sovereign of Shadows' has been selected as the Host.]

[The constellation selection begins now…]

[The constellation 'Sovereign of Shadows' greets the Novice Players.]

"It has started…" Amelia whispered in a soft voice. 

"What are we supposed to do now?" Jackie asked, voicing the same question lingering in Julien's mind.

"Nothing. We just have to accept a contract and we'll proceed towards the awakening." Amelia answered. 

"Huh? The awakening hasn't started yet?" 

"It starts after getting the contract." Amelia answered again.

Why is it like this? Julien wondered internally. 

-It's because a constellation will heavily influence your path. 

A melodic and playful voice rang out in Julien's ears. 

Lotus lady? Julien thought. 

-Helllouu babygurl~ 

-Wait, what did you just call me?

Julien suppressed his urge to roll his eyes at El's comments.

What am I supposed to call you? You never said your name. Julien thought. 

-Didn't I tell you already? Call me daddy. Dad-eeeee!

Can you please get serious for once? Julien wrinkled his nose. 

-You're gonna call me daddy, I won't hear anything else. Anyway, time's tight. El probably didn't give you detailed information on the Gods since you didn't have much time with her, so I'll help you and your teammates out. 

Okay…

[The constellation 'Sovereign of Shadows' asks the constellations to offer their contracts.]

Right as Julien saw this message in front of his eyes, a series of system messages rang in his head and appeared before him. 

[The constellation 'The Light of Primordial One' has offered you a contract.]

[The constellation 'Rebel Sage of Heaven' has offered you a contract.]

[The constellation 'Demonic Inquisitor' has offered you a contract.]

[The constellation 'Eternal Flame of Sky' has offered you a contract.]

Julien saw four system messages in front of his eyes. 

-Oh wow. Look at that, you've garnered the attention of four bigshots. 

Julien had no clue who these Gods were. 

He turned to Jackie and Amelia, and asked, "Did you two get the offer messages too?"

"Yes." The two replied in unison. 

"Are we allowed to discuss it out loud?" Julien asked. 

[The host constellation 'Sovereign of Shadows' has cut the connection between the constellations and the Novice Players.]

[The host constellation 'Sovereign of Shadows' declares that it is now permissible to discuss the contracts.]

-She's surprisingly fast at her work, fufu.

Do you know her? Julien asked. 

-Yes. She's a nice constellation, but don't talk to her right now and be respectful. 

Okay… 

Julien didn't want to offend anyone, so he readily agreed. 

"Do you want to know who offered us contracts, Master?" Amelia turned to Julien and asked. 

"Yes. I could give you a brief description of the constellations that have offered the contracts. You could make an informed decision with that.' Julien replied. 

"Sounds good." Jackie said. "I got an offer from two constellations: 'The Light of the Primordial One' and 'Eternal Flame of the Sky'."

"It's the constellations 'The Light of the Primordial One', 'Demonic Inquisitor', 'Eternal Flame of the Sky', and 'Goddess of Bountiful Fields' for me." 

Amelia clasped her hands after saying so. 

"I thank the lord for their generosity."

-Fascinating. 

-Your teammate Jackie has not managed to attract a single demonic constellation despite the vile acts. Oh well… part of the reason could be that… your team has attracted too many big constellations from the 'good' side. 

Could be. Julien thought and replied. What do I tell them now though?

-Tell them that…

El gave a brief summary of the whole thing and Julien repeated that out loud for the two to hear.

"Firstly, if you two do not know, a contract with a constellation will have a big impact in your whole life. Say you contracted yourself with a constellation that was an angel, you'll by default be hated and hunted by the Players contracted by demons as well as the demonic constellations."

"Secondly, you can think of a constellation as your godfather. They will be there throughout your life, mentoring and influencing you. They would help you based on your potential and circumstances, but at the end of the day, you're mostly doing things on your own while climbing the Tower."

"Third, and this is by far the most important thing. Choosing a constellation will severely affect your Path. Say, Amelia, since you are a nun, you want to walk on a Path to be an Exorcist or an Oracle. However, if you contract with a constellation that's a god of… let's say fertility, you may not be able to walk on those paths and will have to choose something else."

"On the off chance that you do walk that path, the constellation may not be of much help and it's as good as climbing the Tower solo."

"Thus, choosing the right constellation is very important."

[The host constellation 'Sovereign of Shadows' agrees with the Novice Player with black hair.]

Black hair? The gods don't know my name? Julien wondered curiously.

-No They don't know anything about you except your titles, achievements, and your performance in the trial. The Tower protects your privacy and a constellation would only know of you in great detail if you share it yourself.

Wow. Isn't the Tower nice?

-Yes. When such a system wasn't there, all rising Players were hunted down by constellations because they felt an emerging threat. 

Oh…

-In any case, tell the two this…