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.

the only sound being Gravis'

Siegfried glared at Gravis.

another fruit levitated over to Gravis. Gravis opened his

BANG!

ground by Siegfried as he looked at Gravis in

looked back at Siegfried in

wanna,"

"You have no choice,"

"Or what?" Gravis asked.

you until you

the others would act. Most of them only held neutral expressions. Two others were uncertain. Liran, specifically, looked like he was hesitating. His philosophy and emotions

he wanted. This was the Sect's philosophy. Yet, he also felt like it would be unfair to push Gravis into

around and waited for some seconds. When he saw that no one

call yourself the Unrestrained Sect," Gravis said. "Yet, none of you have any idea about

to

wild. Why was Gravis

are you

so badly. For nearly a million years, we have searched for the secret of freedom, and now it's directly in front of us. I don't know if I can let such an opportunity go just because you don't want

what you want?" Gravis

"No. If it were up to me,

CLAP!

Gravis clapped loudly into his

go!" he said. "This is why you don't know

Gravis saying that they had to help him to understand freedom?

said, "but then you answered your own question without even realizing

I don't want to,"

need

hall fell into silence

person seemed closest to the mindset of freedom is

just stopped Gravis and threatened him, but Gravis was praising

"Freedom is doing whatever you want. Meanwhile, judging by your uncomfortable expressions, you are not doing whatever you want. 'For

me so badly, but you didn't do it. Was this what

Gravis shook his head.

to Siegfried. "You stopped me, knowing full well that I would most likely continue talking at a

because of your words? Was it because of your ego due to your superior power?

what you wanted. Isn't that what freedom is all

felt like his eyes had been opened. His

had not comprehended the Law

explanations would

an intelligent being felt when another being had a suppressive effect on them. Freedom was the opposite, which meant that it was something an intelligent being felt when no other being had an effect on them.

something that required other

that could only