I reviewed what I had learned about this secular magic. "Okay, so if the words are words of one of these 'languages of power'... why do you need the hand motions?"

Driveal grinned, "Another excellent observation!" He offered me his cane, and I took it. "I want you to swing that cane at me, really focus on swinging that cane at me, but do it without moving."

I looked at him confused.

"Come now, surely you can replicate the exact mental processes of swinging my cane at me without physical action?" He pushed.

"So, the physical actions trigger mental states and change the way you think about things to make...