Chapter 22
The boss spider-san flapped its wings and flew onto my head.
Honestly, it startled me a little.
Good thing I didn't brush it away with my hand.
The baby spiders hopped onto Chai.
Apparently, they can't fly.
Could they really be parent and offspring?
Since the baby spiders are so small, they look like bugs swarming all over Chai...
Chai was startled for a moment, but is Chai all right?
Since they wouldn't leave my head or Chai, I ended up traveling with them.
What strange spiders they are.
I did a little thinking while looking around the second basement level.
When I was attacked by the group of baby spiders, I shouted Purify, the magic I use most often, without thinking.
But I wasn't thinking about anything at the time.
I really just shouted it on instinct.
I thought imagination was important for magic, so that's what I'd been doing all this time. But maybe I was wrong?
For now, I'll try saying something.
What should I say?
Without imagining anything, "Fire."
...
Nothing happens.
Next, "Water."
Splash.
A puddle of water appears beside me...
Hmm?
This time, I imagine a fireball and say, "Fire."
It worked.
A fireball floating in midair.
Just as I imagined—the kind of thing you shouldn't see in the middle of the night.
Then, looking at the puddle, I imagine water and say, "Fire."
Two fireballs float around me.
Judging from the results, imagination is necessary when using a new spell.
Does that mean it's unnecessary from the second use onward?
That makes using magic easier.
Having to think while using magic is tiring.
For now, I guess I have no choice but to try all sorts of things.
I'll figure it out after doing it a few times.
Leaving the fireballs as they are, I reach the last space on the second basement level.
It seems to be nothing but a large, empty space.
One of the fireballs floating beside me sways in one direction.
Is that wind?
I investigate and find a crack in the wall.
I peer into the crack, but it's too dark.
I want some light.
For now, "Spatial Perception."
A huge space, but no mass of curses.
Thank goodness.
I imagine a large fireball in the space visible beyond the crack.
"Fireball."
Ah, I messed up. I said "Fireball."
...I even imagined it, too... I'll be more careful from now on.
...It seems the fireball was too big.
The light pouring through the crack is too strong, so I can't see inside.
I'll make the fireball smaller.
...Adjusting it is harder than I thought.
After repeating the process three times, I finished fine-tuning it.
This is the most exhausting magic I've used so far.
There seems to be some ore unlike the rock on the other side of the crack.
The fireball's light is in the way, so I can't make out its color.