Chapter 25

Today, Hestia visited me again during the day.

So, once again, I ended up absorbing knowledge.

Today, instead of a map, Hestia held a completely white staff.

The tip was sharp, shaped like a dagger.

"Hmm."

She extended the shiny, beautiful staff towards me.

It felt very sturdy when I touched it.

It was decorated with a red gemstone and looked quite expensive.

"Um... are you giving this to me?"

"Hmm, it's a staff made from a dragon's bone. It can serve as a magical catalyst."

"A magical catalyst, huh. From what I've learned, it doesn't seem very necessary, but does it have a purpose?"

According to Sakura, I can activate magic through my imagination, so I don't quite understand the use of a catalyst.

"Hmm, well, even just carrying it around is fine. You can use it to hit things too."

"Hey, don't suddenly switch to physical talk."

"Just kidding. It has a proper purpose."

Despite her usually serious expression, Hestia chuckled.

She doesn't seem like the type to joke, but she has a rather playful side.

However, I'm glad.

I thought she might suggest hitting people with a dragon bone.

"Hmm, I won't say that again. From now on, let's talk about magic. ...You use your imagination to channel your magic. Like when you tried to create a golem the other day."

I remember, I was trying to create a golem in front of her. To be able to deduce that is impressive, even for a young traveler with keen observational skills.

"Imaginative magic is very convenient and versatile. However, it's also very inefficient and exhausting. Haven't you experienced that?"

"Ah... yeah, I do get sleepy a lot."

If I use magic from noon until night, I usually end up going to bed by midnight.

I fall asleep like I've fainted, feeling very comfortable.

I've gotten used to it, but when I first started, I had to go to bed early and wake up late for several days.

"Um... using imagination to cast magic, it's quite abnormal that you can last half a day. Still, getting sleepy is inconvenient. That's why I recommend creating a magic key."

"Spell key?"

"A word you say when using magic. If you create one, it can directly connect to your mind, reducing the mental strain."

Hestia raised her hand and pointed her staff at a fallen leaf.

"Burn."

She muttered the word, and the leaf immediately caught fire.

"Wow, that's amazing!"

"There's more. ...Explode."

This time, the leaf exploded with a light pop.

"By setting words to specific phenomena in advance, it becomes easier to use. ...It uses a lot of magic power, but it's better than imaginative magic because you can use a catalyst."

I see.

It's like creating a shortcut in your mind.

You can associate words with phenomena without having to imagine them each time.

Alright, let's give it a try.

"Hestia, do you have any tips?"

"Tips? Hmm... it's simple. Use words you know and associate them with phenomena you know."

"I see."

"Also... here, keep this in your belt. You can use it even just like that."

"Thanks!"

I took the staff from Hestia and was ready to give it a try.

"Alright, ...Wood Golem!"

Instead of imagining the shape of a golem as usual, I visualized the completed form in my mind and combined it with a word. Then,

"Wow, it worked."

The apple tree in front of me transformed into a golem.

"Amazing. First try success."

Hestia clapped for me.

I feel a bit happy. But at the same time,

"It feels a bit unsatisfying... Can this be done more simply?"

This is just a faster version of what I usually do.

I feel like there's more to it. For example—

"Wood Golem × 5"

I combined the word with the creation of five golems. Then,

"Wow, ...it really worked!"

Five wood golems were generated.

All at once.

And I'm not tired!

I'm not sleepy or hungry.

This is incredible.

"The magic key is really efficient!"

I turned to Hestia, who was holding her head like she did the other day.

"Huh? Headache again?"

"Hmm... I've never seen anyone use it like that."

"Huh? Isn't that the point, to make it convenient?"

According to Hestia, the main benefit is the shortcut for imagination.

But Hestia shook her head.

"Normally, if you set too many, you run out of magic power. So, people usually set the minimum number and effects for their magic keys."

"Is that so? Even though you do various things."

Like explosions and burning.

"I'm... used to it. I also apply other techniques."

Hestia is more skilled than she looks.

This high-spec young girl is not to be underestimated.

"Still, this is really amazing. I can create golems all at once with this!"

As long as I can visualize the completed form in my mind, I can activate it with just a word.

Is it really this easy?

I'm surprised by how simple it is.

"Thank you so much, Hestia. This is much easier to use."

"Good, I'm glad. As long as you have a fragment of the catalyst, you can use it."

"Ah, by the way, is it really okay to keep this dragon bone staff?"

I don't know the prices in this world, but she said dragon bones are expensive.

Is it really okay to keep it?

"Hmm, it's fine. I don't need it anymore."

Maybe her journey is over.

If she's giving it to me, I'll take it.

"Let me know if you want it back."

"Hmm, if that time comes, I'll tell you. Until then, keep it. Practice a lot. ...The bone is very sturdy, so it won't break even if you use it for a hundred years."

"Got it. I'll practice a lot."

I spent the rest of the day, quite excited, trying out the new way to use magic.

Happy New Year! Breaking the mold right from the start.