Fire Mage (Web Novel)
chapter-641

Chapter 641: A Strange Crystal Dimension

In seconds, Charles was transported at an extraordinary speed, arriving in a new realm where he stood in the presence of a colossal reddish ball of fire. Although this fiery sphere paled compared to the majesty of the actual Sun, its immense size left Charles awe-struck.

'I feel like I'm floating in the water.'

Observing the enormous fireball, he estimated its radius to be roughly 0.5 to 1 kilometer, dwarfing his diminished form.

Within the heart of the object, a peculiar sight greeted him—a strange and eerie black orb lurking at the center like the pupil of some unseen creature.

A chill ran down his spine, his senses tingling with intrigue and trepidation.

A wave of unease washed over him as he scrutinized the peculiar formation. Though the black orb remained motionless, devoid of discernible effects, its presence alone was enough to unsettle his composure.

Gathering his wits, Charles made a conscious effort to regain his composure. Rationality prevailed as he recognized that, thus far, there were no signs of consciousness or any other anomalies accompanying this strange manifestation.

Assured of his safety for the time being, he allowed his gaze to wander, surveying the area for any additional peculiarities or hidden dangers that might lurk nearby.

As Charles took in the scene before him, he marveled at the boundaries that confined the fiery sphere within a vast crystal. Its presence was awe-inspiring, commanding his attention and curiosity. Beyond the crystal's confines, he cast his gaze further, beholding the cavern's ceiling stretching out in the distance. A small, star-like fireball hovered in mid-air, its luminous glow radiating an ethereal ambiance.

It was the fireball he cast a while ago!

While contemplating the crystal's nature, Charles found himself enticed by its enigmatic properties. It was unlike any Time Crystal he had encountered before, suggesting a different essence altogether—perhaps another dimension.

But the true fascination lay in the colossal ball of fire that dominated his field of vision. Questions swirled within his mind, each more intriguing than the last.

'How had this immense fireball come to be trapped within this dimension? Could it be more than a ball of fire—a powerful being's body part?' The memory of the Phoenix Bird cocooned within the Rebirth Star resurfaced, offering a tantalizing possibility that the seemingly impossible might be within reality.

Deep in thought, Charles contemplated his next course of action. The mysteries within the crystal dimension beckoned him, but he knew that returning to the outside world and gauging the passage of time was of utmost importance. He quickly released his wisdom power, channeling it to propel himself upward.

Though his movement appeared sluggish, each moment brought him closer to the edge of the crystal dimension. After an hour of patient hovering, he finally reached the threshold and felt the familiar pull of transition. In the blink of an eye, Charles materialized within the dark, gloomy cavern, his elemental form again solidifying.

Startled, he observed as the fireball in the cavern flickered and vanished with a soft poof. The stark contrast in time flow between the dimension and the outside world became evident, leaving him in awe of the vast difference.

"I knew the time inside this dimension moved slower than the outside world, but it appears the discrepancy is far greater than I anticipated," he murmured. Eager to measure the disparity precisely, Charles retrieved a stopwatch from his space ring. Placing it carefully on a nearby chair, he checked the time to gauge the extent of the time divergence.

As the time on the stopwatch revealed the late hour of 9:45 P.M., Charles found himself engrossed in contemplation. His gaze shifted from the bright daylight outside to the dimness of the cavern, a stark reminder of the stark contrast between the surface world and the enigmatic depths of the dungeon layer. Furrowing his brows, he pondered how the passage of time within this labyrinthine realm differed from the world he knew so well, yet he quickly dismissed the thought with a shake of his head. Such questions could be answered in time; he had a more pressing task for now.

Moving forward with determination, Charles carefully retrieved the reddish crystal from its place and positioned it alongside the stopwatch. The juxtaposition of the two objects held a significance that only he could fathom. Taking his seat before the chair, he closed his eyes and channeled his wisdom power towards the outer layer of the crystalline structure.

Within seconds, a familiar sensation gripped him, pulling him away from the confines of the cavern and propelling him through the time-space at an astonishing speed. The fabric of reality seemed to warp around him as he traversed the unknown, his destination drawing closer with each passing moment.

Finally, the rush of motion ceased, and Charles stood again before the colossal reddish ball of fire. However, there was little time for contemplation or exploration. Understanding the urgency of his mission, he swiftly moved to ascend once again, determined to uncover the secrets that lay beyond. Another hour of travel elapsed, and with each passing moment, he neared the culmination of this enigmatic dimension.

At long last, the familiar pull seized him, wrenching him from the confines of the small dimension and depositing him back into the familiar cavern. The transition was seamless as if he had never left.

In the blink of an eye, Charles reappeared in the very spot he had departed from, a surge of anticipation coursing through him. With a sense of urgency, he quickly retrieved the stopwatch from the nearby chair and glanced at its face.

The time read 9:45 P.M.

Only a second had elapsed within the strange dimension, causing him to startle. Though initially taken aback, Charles's analytical nature compelled him to confirm this astonishing revelation. He checked the time repeatedly, each glance documenting the stark contrast between the world within the crystal and the reality outside.

Gradually, he absorbed the implications of this time disparity, his mind reeling at the implications.

"One hour outside equates to 140 hours in this peculiar dimension," he murmured, a mixture of excitement and trepidation filling his being. The enormity of this crystal dimension stirred a daring thought within him, fueling his curiosity and ambition.

The idea formed in his mind like a flickering flame, its brilliance illuminating the path ahead.

'Should I seize this opportunity to delve into the chaotic depths of the Chaos Fire and create yet another spell model?' he contemplated. The notion sparked a surge of determination within him, overpowering any trace of hesitation. With unwavering resolve, he settled back into the chair, poised for another plunge into the enigmatic realm.

Once again, he traversed the boundary between dimensions, entering the strange world that held the colossal ball of fire at its core. Suspended in the air, he allowed himself to hover in the presence of the mesmerizing chaos fire essences, their radiant brilliance captivating his senses. Amidst the sea of boundless potential, he focused on a single essence, honing his concentration to a fine point.

Within the depths of his focused concentration, Charles's Rune Eye sprung to life, its power activated in response to the intricate network of rules and structures that permeated the single streak of Chaos Fire Essence. The intricate patterns and interconnections danced before his Rune Eye, each detail unraveling in a mesmerizing display of insight and understanding.

As time passed, the seconds melted into minutes, minutes into hours, and seventeen hours swiftly slipped away. Yet, despite the considerable duration, Charles had only grasped a fraction of the profound wisdom hidden within the Chaos Fire Essence Streak. Undeterred by the relentless passage of time, he pressed on with unwavering determination. Hours turned into days, days into weeks, and finally, after two months, Charles stopped his comprehension.

In this secluded space, cut off from the outside world, he had immersed himself in the study of the Chaos Fire Essence. Each day was marked by relentless pursuit as he delved deeper into the mysteries contained within each streak. Gradually, his efforts bore fruit, and his comprehension expanded, leaving him with 31 Chaos Fire Essence Streaks firmly grasped within his understanding.

Charles departed from the strange time dimension with a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. Slowly, he opened his eyes, the weight of his newfound knowledge lingering in his mind. Without hesitation, he ascended, leaving behind the timeless expanse that had consumed his focus for so long.

Though only ten hours had elapsed in the world outside, Charles remained vigilant, acutely aware of the need to stay alert and cautious.

In the span of a heartbeat, Charles reemerged within the familiar gloom of the cavern, his senses attuned to the surroundings. His wisdom power extended, diligently scanning the area for any signs of danger that might have emerged during his absence.