Spirit Mages needed to use the corresponding keys to open the Gates of the Zodiac in order to summon Celestial Spirits. That was common knowledge.
Even Lucy, who had connections in the Celestial Spirit World, needed Celestial Spirit Keys to summon Celestial Spirits.
That was also why the keys of the Zodiac were so exceptionally precious.
After all, aside from summoning powerful Celestial Spirits, the twelve Zodiac keys were all one of a kind.
The Flame Giant Tiger that had appeared before Seiya was clearly not something that could be summoned with a silver-grade Celestial Spirit Key, judging by its presence and magic power alone.
Yet Juvia and the others were deeply puzzled. There did not seem to be any tiger-shaped Celestial Spirit among the Zodiac.
"Spirit Magic? It's similar, but still somewhat different.
But that doesn't matter. You said it before, didn't you? We just need to destroy the core of Death Zone - Zero.
In that case, Tail Fire Tiger, destroy that explosive thing in my stead."
"At your command, my lord!"
Watching Tail Fire Tiger charge toward him through the flames, Aria was utterly dumbfounded.
He had wanted to perish together with Seiya, but the other party had not taken the bait at all. Instead, he had casually thrown out a magical creature resembling a Celestial Spirit. What the hell was he supposed to do now?
"Even Celestial Spirits have lives and minds, don't they?
The Mage who summoned you is sending you to your death for nothing! Are you still planning to obey his orders?"
Spirit Mages could use Celestial Spirit Keys to open the Gates of the Zodiac, but that did not mean they were the masters of Celestial Spirits.
The relationship between a Spirit Mage and a Celestial Spirit was more like a contract.