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.

only sound

Siegfried glared at Gravis.

tense silence, another fruit levitated

BANG!

slapped to the ground by Siegfried as he looked

looked back at Siegfried in a

wanna," Gravis

have no choice,"

"Or what?" Gravis asked.

will suppress you until

room to watch how the others would act. Most of them only held neutral expressions. Two others were uncertain.

that he should grant Siegfried his freedom to do what he wanted. This was the Sect's philosophy. Yet, he also felt like it would be unfair to push Gravis into suppression by only watching. Liran had no

waited for some seconds. When he saw that no one stepped up, Gravis only

Gravis said. "Yet, none of you

to his weakness, but

going wild. Why was Gravis acting

breath. "Gravis," he said quietly. "Why are you acting this way? Wouldn't

a million years, we have searched for the secret of freedom, and now it's directly in front of us.

what you want?" Gravis

head. "No. If it were up

CLAP!

Gravis clapped loudly into his

go!" he said. "This is

people became confused again. Was Gravis saying that they

acting this way," Gravis said, "but then you answered your own

I don't want to,"

I need another

fell into silence

Gravis said. "Ironically, the person seemed closest to the mindset of

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

at all of you," Gravis said. "Freedom is doing whatever you want. Meanwhile, judging by your uncomfortable expressions, you are not doing whatever you want. 'For the good of the Sect,' you're doing

"You wanted to save me so badly, but you didn't do it. Was this what the

Gravis shook his head.

Immortal to him. For some reason, Gravis felt superior to Siegfried. "You

wanted to. Was it because of shame that I left because of your words?

Gravis said. "You did what you wanted. Isn't that what freedom is all about?" Gravis asked

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

not comprehended the Law

seemingly irrelevant explanations would

felt when another being had a suppressive effect on them. Freedom was the opposite, which meant that it was something an intelligent being felt

was something that required other beings to

that could only be learned