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.

seconds passed, the only sound

Siegfried glared at Gravis.

another fruit levitated over to Gravis. Gravis opened his mouth to take

BANG!

was slapped to the ground by Siegfried as he looked at

at

don't wanna,"

glare intensified. "You have no choice,"

"Or what?" Gravis asked.

will suppress you until

act. Most of them only held neutral expressions. Two others were uncertain. Liran, specifically, looked like he

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 idea what he should

saw that no

the Unrestrained Sect," Gravis said. "Yet, none of you

for him due to his weakness,

Why

"Why are you acting this way? Wouldn't it

do," Liran said. "I try to follow the Sect philosophy, but everyone wants freedom 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

you

If it were up to me, I

CLAP!

loudly into his

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

again. Was Gravis saying that they had

way," Gravis said, "but then you answered

don't want to," Gravis

I need

hall fell into silence

Gravis said. "Ironically, the person seemed closest

He had just stopped Gravis

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 things

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

Gravis shook his head.

some mere Immortal to him. For some reason, Gravis felt superior to Siegfried. "You stopped me, knowing full well that I

left because of your words? Was it because of your ego due to your

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

his eyes had been

he had not comprehended the Law of

explanations would all

another being had a suppressive effect on them. Freedom was the opposite, which meant that

something that required other beings to

could only be learned