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.

Land Camp, would follow your every command. Now, let's

how many beasts of the

you in fighting against opponents that are

he looked at her. "As long as my power

but she quickly found an answer. "Power doesn't remain static. Beasts die, and other beasts become more powerful.

requires time. Other beasts become more powerful, but so will I. My Rank is a

That's a lot of resources. I require more food than others but only double the amount. Normally, I would need to eat 16 level one Lords to become

my Battle-Strength, why would I need to eat level one Lords? I could just eat four level two Lords to become a level two Lord. At

never be able to become a threat to me. In extension, by always fighting more powerful Lords, my

that? Didn't you say that level three Lords could be a danger

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

Shira didn't answer.

journey, I had a Battle-Strength that was equal to the Battle-Strength of a Low Rank Spirit Beast. With my power, I would have easily

that level, my Battle-Strength would only be average. I wouldn't be different from any of our soldiers. So, I went through an incredible amount of genuine life

stand out as the 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.

smirked again. "Yet, it wasn't him that attacked me. If I wanted to, I could have left without him chasing me. Instead, I went

someone that was more powerful than a High-Rank Spirit Beast, but not as powerful as a Lord. Back then, I was at the upper border of a Low-Rank Spirit Beast. This was

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

Shira didn't talk to him much. Morn, for example, knew most of what had happened

judged by normal standards. Yet, if you hear my whole story, you will realize that my Battle-Strength simply increased faster than my opponents'. Of

estimated that Gravis' Battle-Strength would probably even be powerful when he became a King, the Rank

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 put a border

looked into Shira's eyes with a smirk. "And that's exactly what's happening to you

a skeptical look

the enemy's army. Back