Lightning Is the Only Way

Shira quickly reached Gravis' cave and entered it without hesitation. She had a nearly manic look on her face, which came from a mixture of frustration, anger, motivation, and several other emotions. As soon as she entered, Gravis opened his eyes and looked into hers.

After looking a Shira for a second, Gravis scratched his chin in interest. "Huh," he said casually, "seems like I was wrong."

Shira hadn't expected these words to leave Gravis' mouth. In actuality, she was quite surprised. Didn't Gravis realize that admitting a mistake made him appear weaker to the beasts in his Tribe? Admitting when he was wrong would create doubt in the lower members. If that happened more than once, some might even think that he was weak. Gravis couldn't possibly be serious.

"Are you joking?" she asked unamused.

Gravis only grinned as he stood up. Then, he slightly shook his head. "No, I'm not joking. I was genuinely wrong. I've expected you to be a beast that would hold onto her philosophy until her death would come. The fact that you appeared here means that I have made an error."

Shira still wasn't convinced. "Stop playing with me," she said with annoyance. "You know exactly that admitting a mistake would make you appear weaker in the eyes of others. They would think that you are not as intelligent as you appear and will lose respect in you."

Gravis only continued grinning. He was actually enjoying it when he was wrong. Whenever he was wrong, it meant that he had another opportunity to grow.

"So?" Gravis asked with a smirk.

And again, Shira was perplexed by his answer. "What do you mean with So? Appearing strong is what allows you to keep firm control over the Tribe. At some point, a member might think that you're weak and then attack you."

Gravis only continued smirking and shook his head again. "That's the difference between you and I. Your words have shown that you have this whole concept of power backwards. That is also the reason why you are currently in such a dangerous situation."

Shira only huffed in disdain. "Then please enlighten me," she said sarcastically.

Gravis didn't mind her tone. "Hypothetically, if I were a stupid beast, would you be able to overthrow me?" he asked.

Shira wanted to answer directly but stopped herself. She remembered how Gravis had even managed to subdue Liza, a powerful level two Lord. This meant that his strength was, at least, above-average for level two Lords.

her hesitate, he continued speaking. "Assume that you have total control over the entire Tribe. Everyone, including Liza, Orthar, Morn, and the Land Camp, would follow your every command. Now, let's assume that all

what she had seen, Gravis could probably kill the whole Tribe. It actually didn't matter how many beasts of the Tribe attacked

"Craftiness and intelligence help you in fighting against opponents that are slightly more powerful than you. Yet, as soon as

said as he looked at her. "As long as my power is so much stronger than everyone else's, how

other beasts become more powerful. At one

his head. Shira hated it when Gravis shook his head like that. He acted like everything was in his control. "Raising more powerful beasts requires time. Other beasts become more powerful, but so will I. My Rank is a whole level lower than Liza's. Yet, my Battle-Strength is so powerful that she would

requires a level two Lord to eat about eight other level two Lords. That's a lot of resources. I require more food than others but only double the amount. Normally, I

four level two Lords to become a level two Lord. At that point, Liza would need to become a level four Lord, meaning she would need to

a threat to me. In extension, by always fighting more powerful Lords, my Battle-Strength won't decline. To be frank with

that? Didn't you say that level three Lords could be a danger to you? Why would you put

that Shira grew more interested in the conversation. "Where do you think my

Shira didn't answer.

Rank Spirit Beast. With my

what then? As soon as I would reach that level, my Battle-Strength would only be average. I wouldn't be different from any of our soldiers. So, I went

hardest. I'll convert the power of my opponents to standards you know. My first powerful opponent was someone that had the power of a High-Rank Energy Beast. Back then, I could

Instead, I went into the battle, knowing fully

was against someone that was more powerful than a High-Rank Spirit Beast, but not as powerful as a Lord. Back then, I was at

more powerful. These were the two most dangerous battles in my life. Yet, by risking it and winning, I have managed to increase my Battle-Strength to such a

talk to him much. Morn, for

freak that can't be judged by normal standards. Yet, if you hear my whole story, you will realize that my Battle-Strength simply increased

be powerful when he became a King, the Rank above a Lord. How

Battle-Strength would probably also be good among Kings, but what about Emperors? What about the level after that? If I become complacent now, I would have already given up on my goal to become an Emperor. By staying complacent, I would have

eyes with a smirk. "And

skeptical

invasion, you have decided to attack the strongest beast in the enemy's army. Back then, you