To use magic, two changes are necessary.
One is attribute change. This changes the thread into various attributes, specialized for killing monsters.
The second is physical change. This is the tricky one. It can change into anything.
For example, I can already use "Physical Change: Blade," but it's not enough to use healing magic.
"Hmm…"
In the garden, I crossed my arms and groaned.
The key to magic lies in the second type of change, the physical change.
This one has much higher freedom.
For instance, my "Physical Change: Blade" transforms the Silveit into a hard blade that cuts through monsters.
But it doesn't stop there. Father's "Physical Change: Enhancement" can enhance any part of the body it wraps around.
In other words, it's body enhancement magic. Also, from Mother's tone, it seems like healing magic uses this "Physical Change."
"Turning it into a blade is easy…"
I said this while breaking the pieces of the wooden doll I had shattered with the flaming spear.
I've used it so much that it has become almost unconscious.
But this only destroys. You can't fix things by just breaking them.
"They said imagination is important…"
I recalled the words of the black-suited man who taught me magic during the Shichi-Go-San festival and wrapped Silveit around my arm.
Father did this when he used "Body Enhancement."
"Get stronger…!"
I tried to use "Body Enhancement," but nothing changed.
Well, of course, it didn't. Magic doesn't work with such vague thoughts.
I need to think more concretely.
While I was lost in thought, Hina came running over.
Hina ran towards me, showing off her clothes with a proud smile.
"Ichii, look!"
"Did you get new clothes?"
"Yeah! They're pink!"
"They are pink."
As I nodded, a flash of inspiration hit my mind.
Clothes! I should think of it as wearing clothes!!
Not in the literal sense of wearing clothes, but more like an assist suit.
When I worked at a small printing company, a nursing home employee once came by. She was a thin, office worker who sometimes helped with caregiving due to staff shortages.
I thought caregiving required certification.
But that wasn't the point. Caregiving is heavy labor, carrying people around.
So, I naturally asked, "Isn't it heavy and tough?"
She replied, "It's become easier since the company bought assist suits."
What's an assist suit? After researching at home, I found out it's a device that recreates artificial muscles using tubes to assist in physical labor.
I was impressed at the time, but it wasn't something I could use at my job, so I soon forgot about it.
Seeing Hina reminded me of that.
The hint for "Body Enhancement" must lie there.
"Hina, stand back a little."
"Okay!"
With a response that was a mix of agreement and refusal, Hina took a step back.
Once Hina had moved far enough, I infused my Silveit wrapped around my right arm with an image of artificial muscles covering my entire body.
In an instant, the Silveit expanded, and my right arm felt stronger. I understood this instinctively.
"…Alright, this should work."
I turned towards the remaining wooden dolls and prepared my fist.
"Here I go—!"
With momentum, I swung my right arm.
Bam!
With a sharp sound, the wooden doll was uprooted and flew into the air.
Yes! The enhancement worked! Surprisingly, since my arm was coated with Silveit, it didn't hurt at all even after hitting the wood with full force.
This could be useful when fighting monsters.
As I considered this, a voice came from right behind me.
"Brother! Amazing! So strong!"
Above Hina's head, who was praising me, the wooden doll I had launched was falling towards her.
…I told her to stay away!!
But getting angry at a three-year-old for not listening is pointless.
I should have anticipated this!!
"Hina! Look out!!"
I quickly enhanced my right leg and kicked off the ground.
The world blurred as I shot forward, grabbed Hina, and moved several meters in a split second before stopping.
Thud – The wooden doll hit the ground with a nasty sound. Thinking about what might have happened if I hadn't made it in time sent a chill down my spine.
At the same time, I felt the technique of "Enhancement" settle into my mind.
It's like the moment you learn to do a backflip and can't remember why you couldn't do it before.
"What's wrong, brother?"
Hina looked up at me from my arms, clueless about what just happened.
Seeing her innocent face, I relaxed and laughed.
"Nothing."
"Really?"
"Yeah, but Hina, it's dangerous to be close when I'm using magic, so make sure to stay back."
"Okay!"
With an expression that may or may not have understood, Hina nodded and ran back into the house.
Watching her go, I turned to face the dolls, ready to try the next "Physical Change."
"Itsuki. I heard a loud noise. Are you alright?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. It was just a doll falling."
As I turned, Mother called out from the veranda.
I answered while facing forward and extended Silveit to cover my entire body to enhance it further.
But,
"Hmm."
There was a problem. Using a single long thread of Silveit to cover my entire body restricted the movement of my arms and legs.
So, I had no choice but to use one thread for each arm and leg.
This means I need four threads for limb enhancement. Adding the torso and head, it totals six threads.
If I want to use magic simultaneously, I need even more threads...
"Hmm."
I let out a breath and looked up at the sky.
Other people's abilities don't matter. I need to get stronger.