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.

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

BANG!

fruit was slapped to the ground by Siegfried as he looked at Gravis

only looked back at Siegfried in a bored

don't wanna," Gravis

intensified. "You have

"Or what?" Gravis asked.

I will suppress you until you

only held neutral expressions. Two others were uncertain.

what he wanted. This was the Sect's philosophy. Yet, he also felt like it would be unfair

around and waited for some seconds. When he saw that no one stepped up, Gravis only shook his head in

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

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

wild. Why

deep breath. "Gravis," he said quietly. "Why are you

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

what you want?"

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

CLAP!

loudly

"This is why you don't know

people became confused again. Was Gravis saying that they had to

said, "but then you

I don't want to,"

need another

fell into

seemed

Gravis and threatened him, but

your uncomfortable expressions, you are not doing whatever you want. 'For the good

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

Gravis shook his head.

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

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

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

felt like his eyes had been opened. His perception of

he had not comprehended the Law of

irrelevant explanations would all have culminated

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

something that required other

was something that could only be