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

Siegfried glared at Gravis.

another fruit levitated

BANG!

to the ground by Siegfried as

at Siegfried in

don't wanna," Gravis

"You have no

"Or what?" Gravis asked.

you until you tell me,"

of them only held neutral expressions. Two others were uncertain. Liran,

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

saw that no one stepped

said. "Yet, none of you have any

vanished with this comment. They had felt bad for him due to his weakness, but now, when Gravis

wild. Why was

are you acting

that you hate being suppressed. We all 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

you want?"

"No. If it were up to me, I wouldn't

CLAP!

loudly into his

there we go!" he said. "This is why

Gravis saying that they had to help him

asked me why I was acting this way," Gravis said, "but then you answered

don't want to,"

need

fell into silence

"Ironically, the person seemed closest to the

had just stopped Gravis and threatened

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

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

Gravis shook his head.

"You stopped me, knowing full well that I would most likely continue talking at a later date, even without you stopping me. Stopping me was

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

what you wanted. Isn't that what freedom is

like his eyes had been opened. His perception of

comprehended the

seemingly irrelevant explanations would all have culminated in

the opposite, which meant that it

that required other beings to

could only