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

Siegfried glared at Gravis.

silence, another fruit levitated over to Gravis. Gravis

BANG!

fruit was slapped to the ground by Siegfried as

looked back at

don't wanna," Gravis

have no

"Or what?" Gravis asked.

until you tell me,"

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

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

saw that

Gravis said. "Yet, none of you

felt bad for him due to his weakness, but now, when Gravis faced someone much more powerful than himself, he was

going wild. Why was Gravis acting this

breath. "Gravis," he said quietly. "Why are you acting this way? Wouldn't it be easier to just tell

For nearly a million years, we have searched for the secret of freedom,

you want?" Gravis

were up to me, I wouldn't force you to do

CLAP!

clapped loudly

go!" he said. "This is why

became confused again. Was Gravis saying that they had to

me why I was acting this way," Gravis said, "but then you answered your own question without

I don't want to,"

need

hall fell into silence

said. "Ironically, the person seemed closest to the

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

at all of you," Gravis said. "Freedom is doing whatever you want. Meanwhile, judging by your uncomfortable expressions, you are not doing whatever you

wanted to save me so badly, but you didn't do it. Was this what the Unrestrained Sect is all

Gravis shook his head.

said as Siegfried 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 well that I would most likely continue talking at a later date, even without

did it anyway. Why? Because you wanted to. Was it because of shame that I left because

you wanted. Isn't

been

had not comprehended the Law

earlier seemingly irrelevant explanations would all

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

that required other beings to

something that could