The clues can be solved with a word or series of words, with lengths ranging from 1 to 24. Entering them clockwise from top left (the two groups of 13 entered in columns at top or bottom and the groups of 12 will then be entered along rows at right and left), a grid can be assembled with a combination of:
Blank squares (phrase passes straight through)
Walls (path ends; along cell boundaries)
Diagonal mirrors (go diagonally through a cell, reflecting the path)
This produces the following grid:
Isolating the walls and mirrors will draw out six letters:
Spelling out the answer, UPWARD.