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!

slapped to the ground by Siegfried as

looked back at Siegfried in

don't wanna," Gravis

"You have

"Or what?" Gravis asked.

until you tell me," Siegfried

held neutral expressions. Two others were uncertain. Liran, specifically, looked like he was hesitating. His

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

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

yourself the Unrestrained Sect," Gravis said. "Yet,

comment. They had felt bad for him due to his weakness, but now, when Gravis faced someone much more

mind was going wild. Why was Gravis

quietly. "Why are you acting this way? Wouldn't it be easier to just

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 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, I wouldn't force

CLAP!

Gravis clapped loudly

said. "This is why you

confused again. Was Gravis saying that they

why I was acting this way," Gravis said, "but then you answered your own question

want to," Gravis

need

fell

"Ironically, the person seemed closest to the mindset

stopped Gravis and threatened him, but Gravis was

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

so badly, 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.

felt superior to Siegfried. "You stopped me, knowing full well

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 to your superior power? Was it entitlement?"

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

like his eyes had been opened. His perception of freedom changed

had not comprehended the Law of

explanations would all have

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

something that required other beings

that could only be