The World That Grew Around Me

I was a Mafia Boss. With a single command, thousands would bow at my feet. They respected and worshipped me. It was as if I were the one true King. I was second to none. But I never felt as proud as at this moment.

Baby, I can crawl!

Till now, I had to make do with the stories on the legacy of the star god Azalarion blah blah, my mother would tell me, trying to make me fall asleep faster. I would look at her with those puppy eyes full of tears if she stopped too soon, hehe. She can never withstand my dear puppy eyes. That's my secret weapon! Sometimes, my idiot father would sit me on his lap and would boast about his old days, telling me what a good Celestblade he was. What the hell is that? Anyway, his boastful stories gave me hints about what kind of world it was and what it possessed. 

My father, Renar Hoshino, was a former adventurer ( I understand that as in my old world we had adventure guilds too, although they were more like an assassination guild to take care of some dirty work…) has quite a lot of experience. He usually kills Astral Beasts, which explains why he was so good at killing those Infernox. He was in several parties that went on adventures to search for treasure in dungeons or explore new places in the Briarwilds and map them out, as not many places of the Briarwilds are mapped out. He eventually settled down together with my mother (it was literally love at first sight) in a small town named Starhaven (yeah, I can tell it's small). He proudly told me that my divine angel was head over heels for him at first sight when he visited the adventure guild where she was working. But by the way, my mother bashfully slapped my father's head, her cheeks all red, and told him to stop calling Kawa-kun lies. I truly suspect that, for once, my father was not exaggerating and was telling the truth.

My name is Hoshikawa Hoshino, by the way. Kawa-kun for short, which, as a former Mafia Boss, sounds way too cute. But hey, after managing to crawl towards the mirror with great effort, I took a glimpse of myself in the mirror…I look freaking' adorable? Ah, but hot at the same time. Looks like I still maintain my handsome features, hehe! (*Overjoyed, wants to dance but can't) Looks like I've got my mother's violet eyes and glowing silver white a cool, pale shade with a slightly metallic sheen. It seemed to lean more toward platinum silver than pure white. Hmm… I look epic! I'm not sure how my facial features will turn out. As I mature, but as long as I don't grow fat or warts or pimples or warts, it'll be ok.

Watch out, future ladies! Prepare to be heartbroken by this hotee!!

After weeks of attempting to crawl, I only managed to scuffle in place. When I succeeded in crawling, I would sneak into my family's library/store room, while my mother was doing housework. My mother lamented the day I started to become mobile, sighing, " I swear, you're going to be as hard to manage as your father. Now, I need to manage two Renars?!" My divine angel, how could you?! I'm nowhere near that idiot!

I closed the encyclopaedia and positioned myself in a more comfortable position, which was lying on my tummy. I mean…ugh, I'm just lazy, ok?! No judgement here…please?

Pondering what I just read, this world seems pretty underdeveloped, which means, no cars, trains, buses, planes, ships, etc. There were only carriages driven by horses and small sailboats for the rivers.

And unfortunately, weapons were freely allowed and not restricted unless you were visiting the royal family or others of higher social status than you. For god's sake, it continues to make me feel unsafe around these huge men carrying weapons bigger than them! Sure, on Earth, we had soldiers carry concealed weapons, see, CONCEALED WEAPONS! Not biggie weapons to show off how much you can kill! But the soldiers' CONCEALED weapons were meant to deter crimes from happening, not "I see you stealing, so I take out my big ass axe and chop you in half, then I get complimented, yippee" (*very low voice) 

A similarity that both this world and Earth share is the system of monarchy. This continent of Aetherion has 3 Kingdoms, where each Kingdom consists of a King and a royal family that rules. The only difference is that the King is chosen by lineage, going from King to son, to his son, and his following descendants. Looks like I can't try to be King …(*depressed…)

After flipping a few pages of the encyclopaedia, there doesn't seem to be much information on other continents besides the one we're living in now. That's strange, there are small sail ships that carry people around through rivers. Maybe their technology is not advanced enough to have ships sail across the oceans.

One thing that was going to be very hard for me to get used to is the whole magic thing. If we're talking about superhuman strength, sure, the countries on Earth breed them to be super soldiers, like me. I had 6 pax. But I wasn't a buff daddy, I also had a V-shape body and was popular among women, hehe.

As a Mafia Boss, I had many bodyguards with superhuman strength. I also led armies like these back on Earth. 

But noooooo, it seems that there's something called Astralis, and the most surprising thing so far is that it exists in the atmosphere of this world! Mages would make use of their surrounding Astralis and draw it into their body and condense it in their astral core.

The next book I managed to pull out explained several questions for me.

 "The Perfect Beginner's Guide to Astralis: From Core to Celestian"

" Chapter 1: What is Astralis?

Astralis is the elemental essence of creation — an invisible current that flows through all living things, environments, and magical systems in Aetherion. It is not mana, but a higher-order resonance between spirit, will, and the elements.

Those who wield Astralis are known as Celestians."

"Flip"

"Chapter 2: Sensing Astralis

While the ability to wield Astralis is partly genetic, not all children are born able to sense it. In fact, recent research by the Celestara Research Circle reports that: Only 1 in 1,000 children are naturally attuned enough to perceive Astralis without training. This number has been decreasing in recent generations, raising concerns across The Order Of The Seven Heavens."

"Flip"

" Chapter 3: The Astral Core What is the Astral Core?

The Astral Core is a dormant spiritual nucleus located deep within the soul. It cannot be seen, but when activated, it becomes the channel through which Astralis flows. Most children awaken their core between early adolescence (age 10–13) and mid-teen years (14–16).

 How Awakening Happens:

When a person first awakens, their body undergoes a spiritual-emotional reaction that causes their elemental affinity to manifest as a protective barrier. Single-element wielders form one barrier. For instance, a ring of fire, a dome of wind, and much more. Whereas, dual-element wielders form layered or merged barriers such as swirling water and stone walls.

This elemental barrier lasts up to 5 minutes, depending on the person's will and stability. It is instinctual and should not be interrupted. Please give the awakened space."

 "Chapter 4: Elemental Affinities by Race

There are six known elements in Aetherion: Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, Shadow, and Healing. The 7th element is known as Starlight, but is only written in ancient texts. Humans can have affinity with any element. They rarely produce dual-element users, but it is still possible. The only race that commonly produces Healers. Elves have a Strong affinity for Wind and Water, and they occasionally produce Healers. Dwarves are naturally aligned with Earth and Shadow, but some possess a rare metal affinity (considered a hybrid of Earth)"

Chapter 5: Core Color Tiers

The Astral Core evolves in color stages, beginning from White and progressing to Gold.

White

Dormant but awakened – a solid, glowing seed of potential

Red

The core begins to pulse – raw, volatile power

Orange

Control develops, and external channeling begins

Yellow

Fluid mastery, adaptability in combat

Silver

Harmonized resonance – a rare level of internal balance

Gold

Legendary purity and spiritual fusion – very rare

Each tier contains shades (e.g., Light Red → Deep Red) that indicate how far one has progressed within the tier. The deeper the shade, the stronger and more refined the resonance.

 Chapter 6:

There Are Two Primary Paths:

1. Celesblades – Warriors who channel Astralis into their bodies or weapons.Enhance speed, power, agility. Often specialize in close combat and elemental weapon forging.

2. Celestians – Mages who manipulate Astralis externally.Control the environment using their element(s). Includes healers, elemental conjurers, and barrier creators.

Both paths are equal in value, and many hybrid disciplines exist.

❄️Chapter 7: Ascended Aspects — The Evolution of Base Elements

"When the Astral Core matures, so too does the language of its element. Fire becomes lightning. Water becomes ice. Nothing remains in its simplest form — not even the self."

What Are Ascended Aspects?

Base elements are the foundation of Astralis: fire, water, wind, earth, shadow, healing, and starlight. But as a practitioner deepens their resonance, these elements evolve into more intricate forms called Ascended Aspects — compound expressions of the element's nature when shaped by emotion, intent, and experience.

These are not combinations of multiple elements, but higher states of the same element.

 Fire ➝ Lightning

Nature: Acceleration, Precision, Rupture

Explanation:

Lightning is not a new element, but fire refined to its most focused form — the speed of light, the crackle of the divine spark. It emerges in those whose passion sharpens into clarity. It burns not chaotically, but with directed purpose.

"When rage refines to resolve, fire dances like thunder."

 Water ➝ Ice

Nature: Preservation, Stillness, Sharpness

Explanation:

Ice is water crystallized through control. It's the expression of emotional suppression, restraint, and calm under pressure. Ice wielders often hide pain beneath beauty — still waters that freeze with purpose.

"To freeze is not to stop — it is to endure."

 Wind ➝ Sound

Nature: Vibration, Echo, Communication

Explanation:

Sound is wind carrying intention. It manifests when the user seeks connection, truth, or revelation. Sound users are often messengers, singers, or those whose hearts cry to be heard.

"When wind speaks, it becomes song."

 Earth ➝ Gravity

Nature: Anchoring, Force, Time

Explanation:

Gravity is earth's truth made universal — the quiet, unseen pull of presence. Those who awaken gravity are not just strong; they are inevitable. Their convictions draw others in or hold them down.

"Even the stars fall under gravity's law."

 Shadow ➝ Light

Nature: Revelation, Duality, Transcendence

Explanation:

True light is not the absence of shadow, but its completion. Those who master shadow often awaken light as a mirror — to illuminate not just the world, but the self. It's not purity, but integration.

"He who walks through shadow casts no fear in light."

 Healing ➝ Restoration

Nature: Rebirth, Memory, Wholeness

Explanation:

Restoration is healing that transcends injury — it repairs the spirit, rewrites fate, and restores what was lost in more than flesh. Practitioners of this aspect often carry deep wounds of their own, healing others as they piece together their own soul.

"To restore is to remember what once was whole.

 Chapter 8: The Awakening Barrier

Upon first awakening, the elemental affinity reacts instinctively, forming a powerful shield or eruption of magic. This is known as the Initial Barrier Reaction.

Lasts up to 5 minutes

Can cause minor environmental damage

Not to be interfered with — doing so may damage the core formation process.

Some children cry. Others laugh. Some faint.

But all — for one moment — shine.

 Chapter 9: Welcome to Celestara

Celestara Academy is the dream of many aspiring Celestians. The academy offers the best instructors, ancient relics, battle training, and archives of elemental research.

Entry is by merit-based exam (eg. theory exam) , elemental aptitude test (checking which element[s] you have affinity to), and Astral Core inspection (checking stability of your Astral Core).

Did You Know?

1. Only 1 in 500 applicants are accepted each year, regardless of race.

2. Students of the The Order Of The Seven Heavens will sleep in the same dorm

3. The Order Of The Seven Heavens oversees all major events.

4. We have 4 races, Humans that live in Lucarion, Elves that live in Elowenys, Dwarves that live in Durnhal, and Beastmen that live in the Brairwoods. The Beastmen do not have affiliation with any magic, so they most likely do not attend Celestara, but of course, there are exceptions.

Wow, amazing, right? I bet you didn't know this.

 Chapter 10: Common Misconceptions

"The stronger your element, the faster you'll awaken." This is not true. Awakening is based on resonance, not raw strength.

 "Healers can't fight."False. Healing is a powerful form of battlefield control.

 Chapter 11: Recommended Reading

Beginner's Combat Forms for Fire-Based Celestians – Prof. Kael Varn

Starlight Songs: Emotional Resonance in Awakening – Lady Cirelle Fontaine

The Lost Seventh: Element or Myth? – Banned in some provinces

Echoes of the Sevenfold Dawn – Restricted Material

"For deeper insight into spiritual resonance and the theory of forgotten elements, scholars may seek permission to access 'Echoes of the Sevenfold Dawn.'"

Ahh, so my father was a competent Celesblade whereas my mother was a Celestian, interesting…

Hmm…. What interesting knowledge. I hurriedly shoved the book back into the shelf.

My fingers are still on the edge of the book. My heart feels too big for my chest. Something is… flickering. Right below my ribs.

I don't really know what I'm supposed to do. But I want to try.

Okay. Focus.

I close my eyes.

I breathe in. Deep, deep, as far as it goes.

Then out.

The air feels thick. Like I'm drinking the sky.

My belly tightens. There's a warmth blooming inside me, small like a candle, but stubborn. Like it wants to be something.

"Awaken your core," the book said. "The Astralis is not given. It is remembered."

So I remember.

I remember the stars above my window.

I remember the soft hum the book made when I touched it.

I remember the way something inside me always felt… different. Like I was missing a piece I'd never had.

Then—

Something shifts.

Ba-dum.

My chest flutters. A tiny spark — not fire, not light — but me. I can feel it. Astralis. My Astralis.

I tense a little, trying to hold onto it—

"Hoshikawa?"

The door opens.

I open one eye.

It's Mama.

She sees me hunched over, breathing hard, cheeks puffed out.

"Oh no." Her voice goes soft and worried. "Are you… are you trying to go potty?"

Nooo mother, I was awakening my damn Astralis!!

She then carried me to go change my diaper.