Fire Mage-Chapter 638: Battle

Chapter 638: Battle

Its white exterior gleamed in the daylight, punctuated by spires, turrets, and red-brown embellishments. The intricacy of its stonework gave it an ethereal, almost surreal beauty.

Tall stone walls and watchful towers greeted him at the perimeter. Once through the main gate, he entered an expansive courtyard, the heart of the castle.

The courtyard was pristine and spacious, its layout whispering of long-forgotten history. Flanked by various wings and structures, it showcased an eclectic blend of architectural styles—evidence of millennia of evolution.

Towering above all stood the main building—a palace-like structure that radiated authority.

Charles’s gaze shifted to the entrance staircase. Nine Nightmare Guardians stood in formation, barring his path. But what unsettled him wasn’t just their presence—it was the creeping feeling that others lurked nearby, hidden but alert.

They’re organized, he thought. They were expecting me.

Before he could consider his next move, one of the Guardians twisted its body with unnatural grace and lunged. A greenish glow enveloped its blade as it swung, releasing a phantom-like slash.

A burning sting sliced across Charles’s neck. Blood sprayed onto the grass.

But before the blow could sever his head, vibrant flames—tinged with a strange greenish-blue hue—ignited around him, knitting his wound closed with astonishing speed.

He didn’t flinch. Instead, he activated Accelerated Thoughts, his mind sharpening to hyper-clarity as he fixed his gaze on the attacker.

Around him, the other eight Guardians spread out, forming a loose ring while maintaining over 15 meters between each other.

They’re testing my range, he realized.

No time to hesitate.

As the lead Guardian charged again, Charles calmly extended a hand. Fire surged through his arm as he cast Soul Shock, aiming directly at the enemy’s soul shard.

The Guardian trembled—then dissolved into a plume of dark energy, its sword clattering uselessly to the ground.

[4 Wisdom Points Obtained!]

But before the mist cleared, another Guardian sprang forward. Its sword glowed with the same eerie green hue, promising a swift and lethal strike.

Charles clenched his jaw. Eight seconds until I can cast Soul Shock again...

The Guardian closed in fast, blade raised.

But before the slash could land, a translucent barrier enveloped Charles like a shimmering shell.

This was no ordinary defense. Not Ignis Sanctuary—this was Sphere of Invulnerability, a Rank-5 Lawful Fire spell.

Having finally mastered its model, Charles knew its strength. It could withstand even Legendary-ranked spells.

The Guardian’s strike hit with brutal force. The impact echoed across the courtyard and sent Charles skidding back several paces, his boots digging grooves into the stone.

He gritted his teeth. Is this what it takes? Must I use my full strength already?

Then it hit him.

A ripple in the near future—his Faceless Eye skill flared to life. His expression darkened as he glimpsed what was coming: coordinated slashes from all sides, a whirlwind of blades meant to slice him into pieces.

They share one mind, he realized. A single will across multiple bodies.

He moved instantly.

With a thought, he activated Rebirth Domain.

The sky turned blood-red. Crimson flames burst from the air. Trees, grass, even the walls ignited. The earth split open, vomiting molten lava.

The entire world was aflame.

Startled, the Guardians faltered—just long enough.

Charles released the Sphere of Invulnerability and raised his hand.

A crimson eye appeared on his forehead, pulsing with chaotic energy.

It fired.

The concentrated beam struck the nearest Guardian’s head—an instant explosion followed, the shockwave rattling the air.

[3.5 Wisdom Points Obtained!]

Ignoring the notification, Charles focused on another Guardian.

In a blink, he vanished.

A streak of burning light zipped through the courtyard.

Charles had changed—his entire being now pulsed with elemental fire. His humanoid form shimmered with crystal-like azure light. He stood over seven feet tall, muscular, imposing.

A third eye glowed with red chaos on his forehead. Black wings, jagged and wicked, unfurled from his back.

He looked demonic. Terrifying.

He reached the Guardian in moments, threads of invisible force whipping out from his fingers and wrapping around its limbs, neck—freezing it in place.

He spun. Moved again.

Another Guardian—entangled.

Then another.

One by one, he ensnared them all. In mere seconds, all nine stood restrained in the courtyard’s center.

Charles turned his gaze to the grand palace ahead, his expression ice-cold.

"You’ve watched long enough," he said flatly.

He snapped his fingers.

A storm of bluish-green flame erupted from within him, roaring toward the trapped Guardians. The fire honed in on their soul shards with merciless precision.

In a heartbeat, the courtyard lit up with explosive fury.

Boom after boom resounded as radiant fire tore the Guardians apart. Dream energy surged in every direction, shaking the ground and sky alike.

The air was thick with heat. Silence followed.

And Charles stood alone in the center of the storm.

[5.0 Wisdom Points obtained]

[3.1 Wisdom Points obtained!]

[4.5 Wisdom Points obtained!]

[4.3 Wisdom Points obtained!]

[3.5 Wisdom Points obtained!]

[4.7 Wisdom Points obtained!]

[3.4 Wisdom Points obtained!]

As Charles studied the stream of notifications, a figure appeared at the palace entrance—humanoid, yet unmistakably otherworldly. She held a gold-hilted, ancient sword with effortless grace.

He narrowed his eyes.

She resembled a woman, perhaps in her early thirties, with ample curves and standing a towering seven feet tall. Her deep-blue skin contrasted sharply with her sharp, defined features. Green, orb-like eyes—pupil-less and haunting—stared out beneath a broad forehead marked by a strange circular sigil. Her long ears swept back like elven blades, lending an aura of mystique. A flowing gown covered her completely, elegant and ethereal.

Around her neck hung a hexagonal pendant, radiating an obscure significance.

Even though she stood a mere fifty meters away, Charles couldn’t sense her presence—like she wasn’t truly there. She blended into the surroundings with an unnatural ease.

Illusion... dream essence? His thoughts clicked together.

His Rune Eye flared with a soft bluish glow, piercing the veil.

What he saw shocked him. The woman before him was merely an illusion. Her real body lurked two meters behind the projection, cloaked in dream power.

Charles released his Wisdom Power, focusing his mind to analyze the being. In mere seconds, the Rune Eye offered up a stream of data:

[Name: Azoth Somn]

[Race: Nightmare Numen]

[Gender: Female]

[Age: 450,958 Years]

[Title: Guardian of Reverie, True Blade]

[Class: Dream Lord (Suppressed)]

Attributes:

Strength: 49.9 (???)

Constitution: 49.9 (???)

Agility: 49.9 (???)

Wisdom Power: 506.00 (????)

Class Skills:

?????, ?????, ?????, ??????, ??????, ??????.

Unique Skills:

Grandmaster-Level Swordsmanship, ??????, ??????, ?????.

As the illusion descended the steps with an effortless glide, her lips parted, and she spoke in a language Charles couldn’t comprehend—a flowing stream of guttural and melodic tones.

"I don’t understand what you’re saying," he replied coolly, his eyes never leaving her.

The sheer power in her stats made his heart sink.

To win, I must get close to her real body. But... do I even stand a chance? Should I retreat? He took a breath. No. I have to try.

His Chaos Eye pulsed. A beam of chaotic fire erupted from the eye on his forehead, directed straight at the illusion.

Azoth reached the bottom step and halted, sensing danger. Her sword, now shimmering with a purplish aura, rose.

Reality twisted around her.

With a smooth, deliberate motion, she swung. Her blade collided with the chaos beam—cutting it clean through. Fragments of essence scattered like shattered glass.

Then came the second strike.

An invisible blade cleaved through the air toward Charles, concealed within the wake of the clash.

His [Faceless Eye] showed it clearly. Instead of dodging, he braced himself.

The strike landed.

A vertical gash tore down his body, splitting him in half. The pain screamed through his soul like molten iron. Gritting his teeth, Charles invoked Soul Fire—his body knit back together in an instant.

No blood spilled. No wound remained. But the agony lingered, imprinted on his spirit.

That attack struck my soul... he realized. No sword intent—pure dream power.

His wariness deepened.

She’s been testing me all along. Studying me through this illusion.

Charles gritted his teeth. She’s analyzing my abilities—every move, every spell.

This was no ordinary opponent.

Desperate for more information, he recalled Eddie’s clone—the only other Dream-class foe he’d faced. She’s used one dream ability already—to summon shadows from her dream realm. Five more remain.

Just then, his Rune Eye flashed.

A faint, rippling energy danced in the air—unseen by normal eyes. Dream energy, intricate and layered, leaked from Azoth’s real body, subtly warping the space around her.

[It’s a dream skill called "Imaginary Control", Host,] Genesis’s voice echoed in his mind.

So that’s how she injured me... pain without damage.

How do I stop it? Charles asked quickly.

[Defeat the imaginary being before you, Host,] Genesis responded.

The clone? Not the original?

[Be careful. Clones can borrow some of the original’s power.]

I know— Charles paused. His mind shuddered. A piece of his memory... gone.

No good. She’s stealing my memories!

His instincts kicked in. He crouched, then dashed forward with blazing speed, outpacing even Azoth’s reaction.

Three minutes. That’s all he had before the Rebirth Domain faded.

He couldn’t waste a second.

As he neared the base of the staircase, Charles cast Chaos Eye again. Another beam of chaotic fire surged forward.