Ferris looked with widened eyes at Gravis but then only smiled. "That's awesome, Gravis! These Laws might not increase your Battle-Strength, but by understanding so many of them, you should have gained a ton of experience in understanding other Laws!"
Gravis smiled. Would he have felt better if Ferris were annoyed by him understanding so many Laws? Maybe a little bit. Yet, the fact that Ferris was genuinely happy for him without growing envious just proved how great of a guy Ferris was.
Then, Gravis told Ferris about all the Laws he had understood.
"Wait, so I didn't understand the Composition of the Wood Element, but the Composition of Bark?" Ferris asked in confusion.
Gravis nodded. "The wood element is not the material but the ability to create a connection with others."
Ferris hummed for a bit. "That sounds a bit like my Soul Infusion Law," he said.
"Yep. The soul and the wood element are very closely connected. You might be able to understand the wood element in a short amount of time if you put your mind to it," Gravis explained.
Ferris shrugged. "Sure, why not, but that can wait. Where do you want to go next?" he asked.
"I want to return to the Empress first to show that I'm still alive. Additionally, I also want to know if there are any news about my children. After that, I intend to visit some Law Comprehension Areas for other elements," Gravis said.
"Why?" Ferris asked. "I thought you wanted to understand this Hard Complex Law or something."
"Well, staying in the forest and learning about plants has changed my mind a bit. In order to learn the Soft Pure Law, I only need some insights into air and other gasses. Yet, wouldn't it be a waste of time to just stay there to comprehend the small bits I need for the Soft Pure Law? Why not just try to understand the whole element?"
Then, Gravis smirked. "Additionally, I've also realized that the elements themselves have connections."
"Oh?" Ferris uttered in interest.
"Learning about the wood element has given me insights into earth, water, and air. So, for example, understanding something like the Composition Law for earth might give me insights into metal and water. I don't know yet, but if one element is connected to the others, the others are probably also connected."
Ferris nodded. "That makes a lot of sense. Sure, count me in! I'm also interested!" he shouted with an excited smile.
"I would advise you to concentrate more on how the other elements attack," Gravis said.
"How come?" Ferris asked with confusion.
"I just explained to Meadow that there are probably also attack Laws that can be combined with Laws from different elements. You can make fire spears, earth makes spears, icicles are spears, metal can make spears. These abilities appear so similar that they might combine into a level two Law, and even if they didn't, you only spent some time to learn more about the world," Gravis explained.
"Ooohh!" Ferris exclaimed. "That sounds great! Why didn't I think of that?"
Gravis only had to laugh when he heard Ferris, and they continued talking until they arrived at the Mountain of Pride.
"Oh hey, the Grand Elder is back," Gravis said to Ferris as he saw the white ape again. Last time, he hadn't been present.
"You've been gone for quite a while, Gravis," the Empress said neutrally, as always. "I assume that you have gotten some gains?"
"Dude, you would be jealous of my gains," Gravis said with a smirk.
The Grand Elder looked with a bit of shock and confusion at Gravis. What did he just say?
Meanwhile, Ferris didn't feel like this was out of the ordinary. Gravis had talked like this for the last 30-or-so years.
The Empress blinked a couple of times as Gravis realized what he had just said. He hadn't thought about what he was saying! He had been talking with Meadow like this for years!
"I see you've met the Plant Ultimate," the Empress said neutrally, allowing the Grand Elder to finally realize why Gravis had said that.
Gravis rubbed the back of his long neck in embarrassment. "Sorry. I've been talking with Meadow like this for over 30 years. I didn't mean any disrespect," he said carefully.
"I understand," the Empress commented, "but I would advise you to think about what you say. Not everyone knows the Plant Ultimate and her… unique way of expressing herself."
Gravis nodded to show that he had understood. "Any news about our kids?"
"No," the Empress answered.
Gravis became a bit nervous. 34 years was an incredibly long time compared to the age of his kids. No news in such a long time? "Is that bad?" Gravis asked nervously.
"No," the Empress answered. "If they had died, I would have been informed. It's a major event if a Divine Beast Lord or King dies from my Empire. This means that they are still alive."
Gravis had seen the proof of how beasts saw their offspring time and time again. Yet, no matter how often he saw it, he always felt a little bit shocked when the Empress talked about her children with such apathy. Gravis might never understand such a mindset.
Gravis sighed again and shook his head. At least, his children were still okay. "62 more years to go, right?" Gravis asked.
"Yes, but it might be better to extend the time until you understand another level two Law. Of course, that will be up to your decision," the Empress said.
Gravis only smirked. "Oh, extending the time won't be a problem. I haven't understood another level two Law yet, but I have made incredible progress with understanding level one Laws. Guess how many I managed to learn in the last couple of years."
The Empress looked at Gravis without saying anything. Her unamused expression made the atmosphere become more and more awkward as the seconds ticked by.
"It's seven," Gravis said weakly after the atmosphere became too awkward for him.
The eyes of the Grand Elder and the Empress widened. Seven Laws? That was way too much!
Suddenly, the Empress' eyes narrowed. "You might have a frightening talent for understanding Laws," she said.
Gravis shook his head slowly. "Honestly? I don't think so. Do you remember what you told me when I have asked you why you have chosen your current upper body? You said that this shape increases your connection to the Laws. It's very possible that humans have a stronger affinity towards Laws than beasts. That would also allow them to close the strength gap against beasts."
Now, the Empress furrowed her brows. "This might be possible. We can't make a conclusion yet." Then, the Empress nodded. "It seems like that your Law Comprehension experience is outstanding for a King. Finish the last 62 years, and everything should be okay."
Gravis nodded. "Sure thing! I'll be inside different Law Comprehension Areas for these last few years. See you later!" Gravis said casually.
The Empress only nodded.
Gravis and Ferris quickly shot away again to get to their next destination.
Meanwhile, the Grand Elder rubbed his chin in thought. "He didn't notice," he muttered.
"Apparently not," the Empress answered.