Chapter 113: The Multiverse

This was a primeval planet teeming with dinosaurs. Doctor Strange, accompanied by Arthur, activated the multiverse teleportation array for the first time and arrived on this world.

“Where are we?” Arthur asked, gazing at the dense jungle.

“This is a planet inhabited by ancient creatures,” Doctor Strange replied as they continued forward.

They reached a cliff, and from the edge, Arthur could see far below a forest lush with vegetation. Within the forest, herds of dinosaurs moved in groups.

Dinosaurs of all kinds roamed here, unlike the ones Arthur had seen on Earth’s television. He looked up and saw several pterosaurs soaring overhead.

“Avatar?” Arthur exclaimed in surprise. This place bore an uncanny resemblance to the world depicted in the film Avatar, with its diverse dinosaurs and vibrant environment.

“Indeed, it does resemble the world of Avatar!” Doctor Strange agreed, hearing Arthur’s words.

“Supreme Sorcerer, you’ve seen Avatar?” Arthur asked, astonished.

“Sorcerers are not isolated from the world; we must understand the developments of the times,” Doctor Strange answered.

Arthur found it hard to imagine whether Doctor Strange had watched Avatar in a cinema or on a computer. Unlike Arthur’s fondness for movies, Wang often wasted time in the library.

“The multiverse means parallel universes. Within the timeline of the cosmos, many unique situations arise—such as your existence—which cause divergence from the universe’s destined future, thereby creating new universes,” Doctor Strange explained.

“Then who controls these fated future events?” Arthur inquired.

“Everything is predestined by forces beyond our understanding, and the universe harbors mysterious entities that maintain the order of reality,” Doctor Strange said.

“A secret organization controlling all this?” Arthur asked.

“Yes, so when traveling through the multiverse, it’s best not to interfere with events in other universes. If you do, you might attract unwanted attention,” Doctor Strange nodded.

“Unwanted attention?” Arthur didn’t grasp the meaning.

“The Time Administration Bureau! They oversee the sacred timelines of all universes. If you disturb these sacred timelines, they will target you,” Doctor Strange revealed the universe’s hidden truth.

“The Time Administration Bureau? Sacred timelines? Such a mysterious organization exists?” Arthur felt enlightened today; in his past life, he had never heard of the Time Administration Bureau.

Yet Arthur was unconcerned. He trusted his own power; no such bureau could punish him. Still, he committed the name to memory.

“How can I traverse the multiverse?” Arthur asked Doctor Strange.

“The method is recorded in the Book of Kamar-Taj, but it is perilous. It contains the secrets to communicating with the energy of the multiverse,” Doctor Strange explained.

“I know that. Casilius wanted to siphon energy from the Dark Dimension using the Book of Kamar-Taj, right?” Arthur said.

Doctor Strange nodded. “Only by mastering the communication of multiversal energy can one open portals to other universes.”

With a wave of his hand, Doctor Strange conjured a portal before them. He stepped through it, and Arthur followed.

On the other side, they returned to the training grounds of Kamar-Taj.

“So, if you wish to learn to traverse the multiverse, you must first master communication with multiversal energy,” Doctor Strange told Arthur.

“I understand. Thank you for your guidance,” Arthur bowed respectfully before departing. In the days ahead, he would study the methods of multiversal communication from the Book of Kamar-Taj.

Watching Arthur leave, Doctor Strange sighed deeply. After spending time together, he had discerned Arthur’s noble character—he was kindhearted.

Doctor Strange had deliberated long before deciding to teach him the art of multiversal travel. Without sufficient mental strength, attempting to communicate with multiversal energy risked corruption by Dark Dimension forces, as had happened to Casilius.

He believed Arthur could overcome the darkness and remain true to himself.

Arthur went to the library and saw Wang, headphones on, staring at his phone. Arthur quietly approached to see what Wang was watching.

He saw Wang’s phone screen displaying “Legend of the Condor Heroes.” As a Chinese native, Wang still enjoyed this classic martial arts drama.

Wang sensed a presence behind him and turned to see Arthur. Embarrassed, Wang quickly turned off the screen, caught red-handed slacking off at work.

“Do you need to borrow a book?” Wang asked awkwardly.

“Yes, I want to borrow that book!” Arthur pointed to the first locked volume on the shelf—the Book of Kamar-Taj.

“Your current magical ability isn’t enough to study that book,” Wang said.

“Doctor Strange has already approved my learning from it,” Arthur replied.

Wang scrutinized Arthur for a long moment, then got up and handed him the Book of Kamar-Taj. “Don’t let others see it, and don’t damage it. If I find a page missing, I’ll come for your life first.”

“You’re no match for me... Don’t worry, I’ll study in my room,” Arthur said before turning away.

Just as Wang picked up his phone to resume watching, Arthur suddenly turned and said in Chinese, “I prefer ‘Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber’ over ‘Legend of the Condor Heroes.’”

Wang stared blankly at Arthur’s departing back, unsure what to say.

Arthur returned to his dormitory holding the Book of Kamar-Taj and found Wanda sitting in a chair.

“Why are you here? Didn’t you go eat?” Arthur asked.

“I’ve already packed the meal, waiting for you to come back and eat together,” Wanda said, pointing to the lunch boxes on the table.

Arthur nodded and sat opposite Wanda. She opened the boxes, revealing several side dishes and two servings of curry rice.

Arthur took the spoon Wanda handed him and began eating one box of curry rice. Wanda ate small bites from the other box.

“Where were you today? Nobody saw you anywhere,” Wanda asked.

“I went with Doctor Strange to visit other universes,” Arthur replied, sipping his tea.

“Other universes?” Wanda looked at Arthur with an adorably blank expression.

“Yes. Our universe is part of the multiverse. Besides the universe we inhabit, countless others exist. I’m here to learn how to travel to them,” Arthur explained.

“Oh, whatever you want to do, I support you,” Wanda said warmly.

Arthur pinched Wanda’s cheeks. Maybe the meals were too good; Arthur noticed she had quite a bit of flesh on her face.

“How is your study of the Chaos Grimoire coming along?” Arthur asked.

“I’ve already learned some simple spells. Look!” Wanda demonstrated by waving her hand, transforming Arthur’s ceramic cup into a glass one.

Arthur toyed with the glass cup. Wanda’s chaos magic resembled a real gem, capable of altering reality itself. How could the Mind Stone create such wondrous chaotic power?

Could the chaos force be innate to Wanda herself, merely activated by the Mind Stone? Arthur was puzzled.

Unable to solve the mystery, he put it aside. After finishing their meal, Wanda left Arthur’s room to continue self-studying the Chaos Grimoire.

Arthur lay on his bed and, imitating Stephen Strange’s method, projected his astral form and opened the Book of Kamar-Taj to begin reading.

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