The Extra Wants Control

She raised an eyebrow. "What\'s a law?" she repeated what Neveah said.

Neveah nodded and said," Yes ... What\'s a law.".

"Hmmm," she pondered, "there\'s no one absolute answer to that question. The answers and opinions vary, just like... well, laws themselves."

"Huh? What do you mean?" Asked Neveah confused.

"To me, a law is the first step to… well, godhood, I suppose." Valeriana said. " While many believe the seven-star stage is the first step because of the qualitative change, I don\'t think so."

Neveah leaned in, listening intently. "Why not?"

"Sure, seven star is commendable. You get to have a better body, a some boost in lifespan. But at the end of the day it\'s just one star above a six-star. Nothing that special." She shrugged. " Don\'t get me wrong, energy integration of mana, and other types are easier at 7 star and your body just absorbs it naturally. Replenishing itself better than before, so it\'s kinda great...

But Laws? Laws are a hurdle one must cross. Think of it like a first trial for those who can make it to eight stars."

Her voice and gaze became serious as she continued. "Laws can form from the understanding of one\'s being, maybe from a strong desire or a goal. They can even form from the experiences one gathers on the path of cultivation. Some form laws based on their soul traits. A law is like a path to your ultimate goal, your ultimate self, your endpoint.

It defines you, shapes itself from you and becomes a part of your very essence."

She paused taking in a deep breath. "A law differentiates beings. There can never be two identical laws at the same time. Each one is unique, a reflection of the soul and person that birthed it. Since souls are different of-course laws will be different."

"Wait... Do you know what a soul trait is? It\'s a special characteristic one is born with. Some are useless, some dormant and \'unactivated\'. Some are powerful. It\'s a like a lottery...

Not everyone strikes the jackpot."said Valeriana.

Neveah pondered on the information given.

A contemplative silence...

"So, if it\'s the manifestation of experiences," he finally began, "does that mean a person who lived longer automatically has a stronger law than a younger person? What I\'m asking is, if they are both at the same 8-star stage and tier, one being a 25-year-old and the other maybe 250 years old, does that automatically mean the older one will have a greater law?"

Valeriana smiled..."Well, Neveah," she replied. "that\'s a question is debated a lot. Laws are highly personal. Age is a factor, yes, but not the only one. It depends on the experiences one gathers in that lifespan. A 250-year-old who spent centuries meditating in a cave might have a weaker law than a 25-year-old who has faced countless difficulties continuously."

"The intensity of your experiences, the complex emotions you experience, a well-defined and set goal, your understanding and comprehension– all of these contribute to the power and shape of your law."

She paused, and added," Strength of a law may vary yes. But there\'s no exact way to gauge a law\'s strength unless you experience it. There\'s also the fact that people don\'t go around telling their laws for others to study and form a system of gauging their strength. Laws are a warrior\'s secret weapon. Sharing your law is akin to revealing your naked self to others.

Those others include enemies who can learn your strengths and weaknesses, develop countermeasures. So, information about laws is closely guarded."

NovelFire-official-text

"Back to your question," she finished with a smile, "between the 25-year-old and the 250-year-old, it honestly could go either way. The young one, driven by some great desire, or has experienced unique things can form a better law. And the old one with experience can form a worse law or maybe better. What I\'m saying is that laws are highly personal.

" So laws are highly personal. Factors and situations and luck are a part of getting a better law. It\'s not a rigid system. Got it." Said Neveah and Valeriana just nodded and smiled.

******

" What are laws." Asked Neveah again but this time to a different person, Verona.

"Law is simply understanding," she said. "It can be about yourself, your own being, or about the universe itself. It\'s about grasping the \'how\' and \'why\' of things. You can delve into your own purpose, the universe\'s governing principles, but the universe path…is difficult. So most, understandably, opt for the first option. Understanding oneself."

"Laws are powerful tools and very versatile." she declared. "You can exert them on yourself, strengthening your own physical and mental capabilities. Or, you can project them outward, influencing the area around you.

By doing this you can achieve weakening your enemy while empowering yourself and ally one at a time or in rare cases doing both simultaneously, all are based on the fundamental principles you\'ve grasped. So basically understanding..."

She continued," Laws are the first step towards truly comprehending concepts. Concepts are the governing principles of the universe... This understanding forms the foundation of your domain at the 10-star and 11-star stages. Oh... A domain is an area where your influence reigns absolutely supreme. You are the absolute ruler within its boundaries.

Sizes and functions vary."

Neveah felt excited. Laws concepts and acdomain - a personal area under his complete control. The power was intoxicating.

"But the path to such heights is difficult," Verona cautioned seeing his excited state. "Eight stars is a crucial bottleneck. Many get stuck there, geniuses included. Years, decades, even centuries can be spent just trying to understand a law. Some die before they manage to grasp it as their lifespans get spent."

"And there are Monsters," Verona replied, great amusement in her tone, "they simply pass through it. There\'s also them... Those who make a wrong decision."

" Wrong decision how? I thought you said people get stuck here... It\'s understanding." Asked Neveah.

" Poor understanding of anything can kill you. Laws aren\'t just handed out, people die from reckless decisions." Said Verona in a serious heavy voice.

"So, when fighting a law user. The best course of action, if you possess no law yourself, is to avoid getting entangled in their sphere of influence. Don\'t let them activate their law. Disrupt their initialization, attack quickly, and hope to overpower them before they can exert their \'understanding\' over the battlefield or maybe strengthen themselves."

Neveah frowned. Understanding. Influence. Domains. It was a lot to take in, then a chilling realization dawned on him. "But what if I get caught up in one?" he asked.