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.

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 of them are

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

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

looked at her. "As long as my power is so much stronger than everyone else's, how would it be possible to overthrow

doesn't remain static. Beasts die, and other beasts become more powerful. At one point, their power will be enough to

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

other level two Lords. That's a lot of resources. I require more

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

fighting more powerful Lords, my Battle-Strength won't decline. To be frank with you, I'm not even interested in

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

do you think my Battle-Strength came from? Do you think this was handed

Shira didn't answer.

a Battle-Strength that was equal to the Battle-Strength of a Low Rank Spirit Beast. With my power,

average. I wouldn't be different from any of our soldiers. So, I

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

him chasing me. Instead, I went into the battle, knowing fully well that I would most likely die. Yet, I survived. By winning this

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

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

didn't know anything about Gravis' past. Orthar didn't really keep it a secret, but Shira didn't talk to him much. Morn, for example, knew most of what had happened to Gravis since he talked

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

wasn't sure what Gravis meant. She estimated that Gravis' Battle-Strength would probably even be powerful when he became

about Emperors? What about the level after that? If I become

into Shira's eyes with a smirk.

a skeptical look on her

invasion, you have decided to attack the strongest beast in the enemy's army. Back then, you directly attacked Silva. Tell me,