"...We do not understand most of what you just said," they say, and from the staff to the turtle, a faintly nonplussed expression on their face. "But usually you'd need some serious magic to just like, completely break the laws of physics like that."

Except the staff didn't seem to be magic, or at least not any kind of magic Matthew was able to pick up on. Maybe there were also enchantments to hide it's magical signature?

"Well. However you did it, it's impressive."