Lightning Is the Only Way

"There is no one willing to battle with you anymore, Gravis," the Empress transmitted with some annoyance. "Last time, only the wolf was ready to battle you, and I doubt that anyone wants to fight with you now."

Gravis grimaced when he heard that. "Okay, but are there maybe some other outstanding level five Lords around? I really need some tempering," he asked.

The Empress sighed again as she massaged the bridge of her nose with her fingers. "Why do you want to temper yourself so badly? I don't get it. You are not ready to learn a new Law, but you still want to gamble with your life. What's the reason?" she asked.

"Well," Gravis answered. "You saw that aura that made my first opponent slow down?" he asked.

The Empress nodded.

"This aura only grows by putting my life on the line. The only reason why it even has such a strong suppressive effect on a beast a whole level higher than me is that I have tempered myself a lot already. If I don't keep tempering myself, eventually, it will become less useful."

The Empress remained silent for a bit as she thought about what Gravis just told her. "I've never heard of something like this, but your powers are strange to begin with. What's your plan? Why do you want to temper yourself now?"

"Well, as long as I manage to increase it some more, I might be able to win against a King while I'm a level four Lord," Gravis admitted. "If I don't increase it now, I'll have to wait until I'm a level five Lord to fight a level one King."

For some reason, the Empress sighed again. Gravis had no idea why she reacted like this.

"Gravis," she transmitted, "even if your strange aura becomes more powerful, you will still have no chance against a level one King. Think about it. The most outstanding level five Lords in this event can fight two levels above themselves. Yet, not even one of them says they can fight a level one King, even though, theoretically, a level one King is two levels above them. Why is that?"

Gravis didn't know why. He had seen the talent of the level five Lords. They all knew Laws that increased their Battle-Strength significantly. Why weren't they able to battle level one Kings?

"I don't know, actually," Gravis transmitted. "I don't have much knowledge about the higher Realms since the Red King is the first King I've ever met. Obviously, due to our relationship, he didn't tell me anything."

Empress was a little taken aback when she heard that. "You have had

battle were too powerful for some beast that hadn't received any guidance. Had Gravis achieved

only had Lords around me, and all these Lords had

sense to the Empress. Gravis' weird behavior and trust issues also made some sense now. After all, he only had

of was one that I have created

had no questions regarding Gravis' destroyed Tribe. Tribes came and went daily. An enemy invading a Tribe and eradicating it with only

continuing the conversation, the Empress looked at the other beasts. Hundreds of Kings and Lords were still waiting for her to do anything. They had watched the Empress, the white ape, and Gravis just standing around and looking at

were talking, but they didn't know what they were talking about. As long as the Empress didn't order anything else,

of all, I need to end this whole matter," the Empress

the present Kings and Lords. "The competition is over,"

beasts were surprised about that. Gravis had proven his power, and it was only natural that he would be chosen. Feelings like entitlement were incredibly rare among beasts,

receive the standard reward. The Grand Elder has taken note of your contributions

Grand Elder nodded and stepped forward. "Tell me what kind of rewards you want," the

Elder via voice transmission.

remained anymore. Now, only the Empress, the white ape, the Red

Commanders. They have

you are part of the Icy Pride Empire,"

of the Empire? I mean, the Empress does have the water element, which can transform into ice. She also has comprehended the Law of Pride. So, I guess calling

that seeing so many several-kilometer-long beasts flying into one direction looked quite imposing. A

remained on top of the Mountain of Pride: The Empress, the white ape, the Red King,

course, that was only because the other three beasts had control over their size. Gravis had already seen the true size of the Red King, which was gigantic. He

King," the Empress said as she turned to him. "You have brought

time in the Infernal Depths,"