Lightning Is the Only Way

The entire atmosphere changed with Gravis' words. The kind and casual atmosphere transformed into one of annoyance and indignation.

If this had happened in any other Sect, at least one of the Elders or Vice Sect Masters would have jumped up and cried about disrespecting one's elders, but not this Sect. Individuality and freedom were important here, and when someone was disrespected, it was their job to handle the situation.

Everyone looked at Liran to see how he would react.

Liran closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

"Please elaborate," he said slowly. Obviously, that comment had also riled him up, but he wanted to hear Gravis' explanation first.

Gravis grabbed another fruit. "Suppression and freedom," Gravis said. "Two opposite things on the same spectrum, yes?"

Liran nodded.

"Suppression and freedom are opposites like light and darkness," Gravis explained. "Yet, as you all know by now, light and darkness are still the same thing. There is only a gradient of light. One end is what we call light, and the other end is what we call darkness."

"Freedom and suppression are the same thing, basically. Both are things that only exist in the perception of an intelligent being. A rock can't be suppressed. A rock might be put under physical pressure, but that's an entirely different thing. Only when you're alive and smart enough to perceive your current situation will you be able to feel suppression or freedom."

Blub!

Gravis summoned some water that floated above his finger. "Microorganisms, or the things that we call Life Energy, are living things. Yet, they are not smart enough to comprehend suppression or freedom. I could keep one of them isolated, and it wouldn't feel a difference."

"Get to the point," an Elder said from beside Gravis.

Gravis looked at the Elder and smirked.

"Eh, I don't want to anymore," Gravis said.

Then, he stood up, grabbed another fruit, and began walking out of the room.

The entire hall became shocked. Gravis was leaving just like that?

"Siegfried! Calm down!" Liran shouted.

"But-"

"No! Sit down, Siegfried!" Liran shouted again.

Suddenly, Siegfried's gaze changed. "I'm not following any orders. I'm free to do what I want!" he shouted as he teleported in front of Gravis.

Gravis only looked at Siegfried while chewing his fruit.

"You will tell me, now!" Siegfried ordered. "I have been chasing freedom for my entire life, and my goal is just within reach. I won't be stopped so close to my goal!"

Another fruit started to float over to Gravis from the table. Gravis only opened his mouth and took another bite.

passed, the only sound being Gravis'

Siegfried glared at Gravis.

levitated over to Gravis.

BANG!

to the ground by Siegfried as he

looked back at Siegfried in a

don't wanna," Gravis

"You have no

"Or what?" Gravis asked.

you until you

held neutral expressions. Two others were uncertain. Liran, specifically,

philosophy. Yet, he also felt like it would be

seconds. When he saw that no one stepped up,

Unrestrained Sect," Gravis said. "Yet,

him due to his weakness, but now, when Gravis faced someone much more powerful

going wild. Why was

you acting this way? Wouldn't it be easier to just

but everyone wants freedom so badly. For nearly a million years, we have searched for the

that what you want?"

If it were up to me, I

CLAP!

clapped loudly into

go!" he said. "This

became confused again. Was Gravis saying that they had to help him

said,

I don't want to,"

I need another

hall fell into silence

know," Gravis said. "Ironically, the person seemed closest to

was taken aback. He had just stopped Gravis and threatened him, but

your uncomfortable expressions, you are not doing whatever you want. 'For the good of the Sect,' you're doing things you

so badly, but you didn't do it. Was this what the Unrestrained Sect is all about? To constrict your own freedom so

Gravis shook his head.

tensed up a bit. Gravis didn't feel like some mere Immortal to him. For some reason, Gravis felt superior to Siegfried. "You stopped me, knowing full

Was it because of shame that I left because of your words? Was it because

you wanted. Isn't that what freedom is all about?"

like his eyes had been opened. His perception of freedom changed

he had not comprehended the

explanations would all have culminated in one

on them. Freedom was the opposite, which meant that it was something an intelligent

required other beings to

something that could only be learned by