What is magic?
Everyone has a different answer.
Although there is an objectively correct explanation in this world, everyone still has their own desire and understanding of magic in their hearts.
Just like Bell initially wanted magic that was as fiery as flames and as swift as lightning, which led to his instant cast magic: Firebolt.
The awakening of magic originates from the holder's inner inclination and subconscious.
The former can be changed by one's will, while the latter is very difficult.
So, what is magic to Takatsuki?
In fact, Takatsuki doesn't like magic.
Long incantations, cumbersome usage methods, and inflexible operations—this was Takatsuki's perception of mages.
Because this is the positioning of mages in many games.
So Takatsuki wouldn't even choose the mage class when playing games.
And instant-cast magic means reduced damage.
Leaving aside other aspects, the rules of DanMachi are very simple and clear: the longer the incantation, the greater the magic's power.
Like Bell's Firebolt, if it weren't for the bug-level skill 'Argonaut' that allows for charging, Firebolt would only be able to provide support.
Ais's Ariel is also like this; it's an enchantment magic, merely adding auxiliary functions to make her faster and her attacks more powerful.
But Takatsuki doesn't need either of these.
The power of Firebolt cannot compare to Dragon blast and Fire Demon Tao, and the enchantment of Ariel cannot compare to the damage brought by Haki.
He also greatly disliked Riveria's long incantations.
It can be said that the magic within the DanMachi universe belongs to the type Takatsuki dislikes.
So, what kind of magic would such a Takatsuki awaken?
Ultimately, the magic triggered by grimoires originates from inner desire, which is also equivalent to compensating for shortcomings in a roundabout way.
"Presence Detection and Projection? What are these? And there's no incantation!?"
Hestia stared blankly at the two magic spells she had never seen before. Takatsuki took the ability she had copied and fell into thought.
"I think I know the function of these two abilities."
Seeing the curious eyes around him, Takatsuki lightly coughed: "Presence Detection allows me to sense surrounding auras to locate them, enabling me to distinguish friend from foe even without using my eyes. Of course, the prerequisite is that I have memorized the opponent's aura."
"And Projection…"
Takatsuki extended one hand in front of everyone.
"Projection, begin!"
A short sword appeared in Takatsuki's hand, confirming his guess.
"It really is this."
Everyone watched in amazement as the weapon suddenly appeared in Takatsuki's hand.
"Can you create weapons with this magic? Does that mean blacksmiths are useless then?"
Kiana's somewhat naive words made Takatsuki chuckle: "How could that be? The weapons created by this magic are just projections, as its name suggests. They are not real weapons and cannot be stored for later use."
Saying this, Takatsuki controlled the weapon in his hand and made it dissipate.
All this time, Takatsuki had fought without weapons because he didn't know how to use them.
This wasn't a shameful thing; after all, he was originally a complete novice.
But after Fu Hua taught him memories of using sword-type weapons during the battle on the 59th floor, he had always wanted to find a suitable sword to use, and this magic came at just the right time.
Takatsuki also briefly tested it. His Projection magic, unlike the Projection Magecraft in Type-Moon's setting or Emiya Shirou's projection which specializes only in sword-type weapons, could genuinely project all types of weapons. The magic power consumed was only related to the weapon's strength, not its type.
He just didn't know why he would awaken these two types of magic. Could it be because he subconsciously once thought Emiya Shirou's Reality Marble was cool? But could it be that DanMachi's magic couldn't replicate Reality Marble?
"This magic is so cool, I want it too!"
Kiana exclaimed enviously as Takatsuki kept projecting weapons and throwing them onto the ground in various ways.
"After this matter is over, I'll go to the auction house to see if there are any grimoires and buy a few more back."
Takatsuki said while continuously projecting weapons and throwing them onto the ground. Soon, a large pile of weapons accumulated on the floor.
It wasn't until he projected the 80th weapon that Takatsuki felt a wave of dizziness.
"The limit is eighty, and they're only A-rank weapons."
Stopping the magic he had been continuously casting, Takatsuki felt himself swaying.
"Be careful."
Mei noticed Takatsuki's poor condition and quickly supported his body.
"Thank you, Mei. It's just dizziness from excessive magic consumption."
Mei looked at Takatsuki's condition with some concern: "Takatsuki-kun, be careful, don't push yourself too hard."
"Yes, Takatsuki-kun, don't push yourself too hard." Hestia also spoke when she saw Takatsuki's poor state: "It's getting late today. Everyone should rest early."
"Bronya understands, Takatsuki, get good rest."
"I'm leaving too. Take care of yourself."
Takatsuki was helped by Mei back onto the bed. He watched as everyone closed the door and left, then looked at the mountain of weapons piled beside him.
"My backpack can't hold them all."
Although weapons created by Projection magic are only consumables, they don't disappear after a very short time. So the best method is to store these weapons and take them out when needed.
Takatsuki only felt his head spinning; even thinking felt exhausting, but he couldn't put this matter aside for now.
Subconsciously, Takatsuki opened his system and glanced at his backpack. Even after a cleanup, there were only a few dozen empty slots left.
"This is useful… this is useful, this is also useful…"
Although he wanted to free up some space in his backpack, Takatsuki, who always felt everything was useful, directly opened the gacha interface.
At this moment, he didn't know what he was thinking, perhaps subconsciously, whenever he encountered an unsolvable problem, he would go to gacha. He tapped his finger on the gacha button.
"Ottar, do you think Apollo can make those children shine even brighter?"
On the top floor of Babel, the extremely beautiful goddess held a glass of red wine, gazing down at Orario's night view from the window.
"The Apollo Familia's strength is too weak."
The taciturn pig-man youth gave his evaluation.
"Indeed, perhaps this isn't enough."
Freya looked down at the wine glass in her hand. Unbeknownst to her, a speck of dust had fallen into the crimson red wine. Mortals might not notice it, but under the eyes of a god, not even a speck of dust could hide.
"Impurities mixed into a rare treasure, truly an eyesore."