Revelation

"W-What?! What do you mean I'm already using it?!"

When I finally finished processing Echidna's words, I froze right in my tracks, staring at her with wide eyes and my jaw almost touching the floor.

<"Exactly what you heard. Did you really think it was normal for someone with your lacking physical capabilities to be able to do everything you do without getting tired?">

My brain was trying to process her words while a mix of confusion and an absurd spark of hope began to bubble up in my chest.

"Hey, you didn't have to be so blunt! But... wait, what exactly do you mean by that?"

...Until I realized how she was technically insulting me.

<"Most likely, you were using it through your daily habits by instinct. Every time you cook, deep clean, knit those dolls, or perform any domestic task, you are unconsciously channeling and utilizing spiritual energy.">

After asking Echidna, it turned out that every time I cooked, cleaned, knitted, or performed any domestic task, I was using spiritual energy...

"Well... That explained absolutely everything."

MYSTERY SOLVED!

"..."

It turns out I actually had cheat skills in this world right from the start!

...Even if... it's only for purely domestic chores...

"But wait a second... so, when I was running for my life from those monsters or in the mornings... was I also using spiritual energy?"

However, at that moment, I noticed an inconsistency with that logic. After all, my speed varies greatly depending on the situation, and that isn't a domestic chore!

"...Could it be... that I'm a genius?!"

This must mean I have some kind of potential!!

<"In your particular case, it is most likely that you were only releasing it out of sheer panic while fleeing without thinking.">

...But unfortunately, what goes up must come down.

"Don't crush my illusions so fast!"

And my expectations were no exception.

Though well, as a result of this entire series of events, that was how I resolved a question that, curiously, I had never asked myself before.

Now I know what you're asking yourself. Armed with the knowledge that I can use spiritual energy: my moment to shine as a shonen protagonist has arrived, right?

Well, no!

You see, since it turns out to activate completely automatically when I perform certain specific actions like cooking, cleaning, knitting, giving massages, or doing house chores, I have zero control over its use myself.

Plus, none of those are useful for fighting in a real battle!

...Just think about it... How on earth am I supposed to defeat a guy with a massage...?

At most, after reflecting a bit, I discovered that thanks to this I can hit ghosts and intangible spirits with my heavy iron frying pan... Well, at least that's something!

For the time being, I'll try to think of ways to use this ability, starting with what to call it.

It must be an impressive, epic name worthy of a hero!

Although right now I can't think of anything at all...

"Oh, right... What do we do with them...?"

But we are straying too far from the main topic and our current situation, so let's get back to the initial question regarding the little intruders in my room.

<"It would be prudent to test what they are capable of in a safe environment before they cause a disaster in here.">

So, following Echidna's timely suggestion, we decided to go to a (relatively) safe place to test them out.

"And that is why we are at the abandoned car junkyard!"

Did you notice the awesome scene transition I just pulled off?

<"You know, I don't think it makes any sense to ask this, but... who on earth are you talking to out loud?">

"The reader, of course."

Sometimes Echidna says senseless nonsense, but I still accept her just as she is with all her quirks.

<"I knew asking wouldn't make any sense...">

And that was how the test of the little straw dolls began.

"Alright, let's see what they are capable of!"