Lightning Is the Only Way

When Gravis heard Aris speak, he felt like he was meeting someone completely new.

Aris had always had inner conflicts. Some parts of human psychology and beast psychology battled in his mind. One side told him that he should get into contact with others more and join a group, while another part of himself told him that he didn't need all that. He only needed power.

Gravis knew of all these inner conflicts, but when he saw Aris again, he felt that the conflicts had been resolved.

The Opposer had told Aris that he should go into a world where the tempering was organization-based, not species-based. In that world, humans and beasts joined the same powers, and they lived in relative harmony with each other. The enemies were not the ones that didn't look like them, but the ones belonging to other powers.

Apparently, living in such a world for such a long time had done a lot to shape Aris' personality.

Well, that and time. After all, Aris had spent nearly 200,000 years in that world.

"Aris," Gravis said with a smile on his face as he came closer. Then, Gravis looked Aris up and down. "Honestly, when I just saw you, I thought that I saw another version of myself. You really resemble me."

Aris smiled slightly.

Pack!

Gravis' eyes widened as Aris pulled him into a hug.

"I missed you, father," Aris said.

Gravis was taken aback as he heard Aris' words.

Without noticing it, Gravis' feelings were going wild.

Gravis had always told himself that his children were beasts and that it was normal for them to not want to spend any time with him. He knew that, and that was why he always gave them their free space.

However, this didn't mean that Gravis didn't wish for a deep connection with his son.

After all, Aris was his son!

Even if they hadn't met for a long time, Aris was still one of the most important beings in his life.

returned the hug

time that Aris

for being such a

was my duty

and Aris looked

I joined my Sect, I saw how hard it was for human parents to let go of their children. I also saw how difficult it was for

when their children left for a fight, and whenever I saw that, I was reminded of you.

up in the wilds while constantly having to fight off other beasts. It was hard to see you

for you to return alive,

as he put his arms on Aris' shoulders. "But here you are! You've grown up

how much of a burden I must have been back

that," Gravis repeated.

more serious voice. "Even

he saw that Aris fully meant everything

couple of times," Aris said. "For Heaven, I count as a beast, and I shouldn't have any Karmic Luck. Yet, if I didn't have Karmic Luck, I wouldn't be saved by luck

why I am still alive is precisely because I am

stay important

Aris, and an awkward smile appeared

awkwardly. "I didn't

years he had spent with Stella,

Working hard?

Eeehhhh.

all beings. You can't work yourself to the bone at all times, and you need your breaks. I understand that. But I don't want you to

world. Even with the inclusion of all the natural worlds, only one beast arrives for every two humans. Humans don't have worlds where only humans are, but beasts

of Karmic Luck. It is the force that tips the scales when an outcome is uncertain. When two parties have the same power, it's all down to luck, and the party with less luck

sense, it hurts my pride, but I also know

middle world while we all looked down on you time and time again, forcing you to prove your power to us.

a lot about humans, and the fact that you were willing to help

of an exchange. You would get the chance to reach the Nascent Nourishing Realm, and we would get the gift of life. Our mother abandoned us, and there was nothing to it. I'm partially a beast, and I realize that there

unlike human mindsets. We didn't feel any love for you, and we only saw you as a more powerful beast

but you still never stopped loving us. You helped

simply cut contact. After all, you also have to think about your own