Starting With The Sefirah Castle In The Anime World-Chapter 117 - : Self-Discipline Is Not Weakness (BONUS)

"Human nature... it's not something that's easily defined."

"I'm not some well-read philosopher or a scholar with sophisticated theories. I'm just an ordinary person."

"My understanding of human nature is shallow, at best. Nothing profound."

Amamiya Ren spoke with calm honesty.

He wasn't here to impress anyone with complex theories or elegant rhetoric.

He was simply sharing his own perspective, one built through experience and observation.

"To me, human nature is closely tied to desire."

"People without desires have, in essence, lost their humanity. I honestly don't think there's anyone out there completely devoid of desire."

He paused, his eyes reflecting a quiet intensity.

"Maybe... not even gods can be free from desire."

"If gods were truly without desires, they wouldn't need faith. They wouldn't crave power."

"And without power and faith... would we even still call them gods?"

"So, even gods possess human nature in some form."

"That's why I believe that emotions and desires are the clearest expressions of human nature."

The room grew silent as everyone processed his words.

But then, Ren's tone shifted slightly.

"Of course, I'm not talking about unchecked desires or out-of-control emotions."

"I'm talking about desires and emotions that remain under our control."

"Once someone lets their desires run rampant, they stop being human."

"They become beasts, driven solely by instinct."

"That's why humans are such complicated creatures."

"The line between us and beasts isn't just intelligence or speech—it's self-restraint."

"Self-restraint is the very core of what makes us human."

His words carried a weight that resonated deeply.

People weren't human simply because of biology.

They were human because they could impose limits on themselves because they could act on reason instead of pure instinct.

"If a wild animal ever came to understand mortality the way we do, it would start developing something akin to human nature as well."

"And if that happened... that creature would eventually begin evolving toward humanity."

He exhaled slowly.

"The same principle applies to the path of Sequence."

"Even the gods that reach Sequence 0 need anchors to hold on to their humanity."

"Without that anchor... they fall into madness."

"Power without restraint is like a ship without a rudder."

"The stronger someone becomes, the more important it is for them to remember who they are and what they stand for."

Ren fell quiet.

He wasn't certain how Sequence 0 gods managed to maintain their sanity.

He only knew one thing:

If he ever abandoned his own sense of self, the power would eventually consume him.

He refused to live like a beast.

After he finished speaking, the weight of his words lingered in the air.

Kaguya's gaze was thoughtful.

"...Amamiya," Kaguya finally said, her voice hesitant.

"If we have to maintain our humanity... then what's the point of pursuing power in the first place?"

The others shifted uncomfortably.

They'd been wondering the same thing.

Ren turned toward her and gave a knowing nod.

"You're wondering why we chase after power if we have to constantly hold ourselves back, right?"

Kaguya nodded.

"Exactly. If we can't even use our strength without restraint, doesn't that defeat the purpose?"

The room held its breath as Ren smiled faintly.

And then, he said something that left them completely stunned:

"Self-discipline doesn't mean you're supposed to feel aggrieved."

The girls exchanged confused glances.

"What do you mean?" Kaguya asked.

"Self-restraint doesn't mean you have to sit back and tolerate being bullied," Amamiya Ren explained.

"When someone crosses the line, when someone provokes you, you absolutely should respond with the full weight of your strength."

"But what makes you human is what comes afterward."

"After punishing the one who provoked you, you don't let yourself get drunk on that feeling of power."

"When you encounter people like that, the best thing to do is step on their face and make sure they understand that provoking you was the worst decision they ever made."

"Shinomiya-san, you should know that bottling up your emotions too often can lead to psychological issues."

"For your own mental well-being, you need to learn how to retaliate—within reason—so you can feel at ease afterward."

"Enduring everything without pushing back will only hurt you in the long run."

Kaguya froze.

She had never heard someone put it this way before.

"Think about it. Buddhism says that 'a butcher can become a Buddha the moment they lay down their blade.'"

"But Taoism says, 'If someone wants to become a Buddha, let them. As for me... I have no such intention.'"

"In other words, Shinomiya-san, you need to adjust your mindset."

"If someone bullies you, don't just sit there and take it, bully them back."

"That's what power is for."

Ren's voice was calm, but his words struck a chord with everyone present.

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Of course, he wasn't advocating for mindless aggression.

When you had no power, adopting a "Buddhist" attitude, one of non-interference was the best approach.

But once you possessed the strength to act, it became equally important to follow your heart when dealing with provocations.

Power was meant to be used—not hoarded.

"After all," he added with a slight shrug, "it's not like I haven't meddled in other people's affairs before."

"Besides... who said the pursuit of power was meaningless?"

"Huh?" Kaguya blinked, confused.

The shift in topic caught her off guard.

She was still trying to process his earlier words.

"What do you mean by that?"

"You asked earlier if there was any point in seeking power when you have to restrain yourself."

"Well, I'd argue that, especially for girls, power has a very clear, tangible benefit."

"...A benefit for girls?" Kaguya tilted her head.

The others, sensing something interesting, leaned in closer.

Ren smirked.

"When you reach a certain level of strength, something interesting happens."

"The stronger you become, the more your body changes to accommodate that strength."

"With greater mastery over your powers... comes an extension of your lifespan."

The girls froze.

"Longevity might sound mythical, but it's not."

"Eternal life is nearly impossible... but living significantly longer? That's absolutely achievable."

Kaguya's eyes widened.

"Longevity?" she repeated.

"Exactly." Ren nodded.

"As your power grows, your body and mind adapt."

"Reaching the point where you could live for centuries isn't unrealistic."

"And if you're lucky, true immortality might even be within reach."

Silence.

Longevity. Immortality.

Concepts they'd always associated with fairy tales were suddenly being presented as attainable goals.

The weight of his words settled over the group.

For a moment, no one spoke.

And then—

"Wait... wait, wait, WAIT!"

Chika, who had been slouched against Ren in exhaustion, suddenly shot up.

Her cheeks, which had been pale from her earlier nausea, flushed a bright, healthy pink.

"Did you just say... IMMORTALITY?!"

"That's right," Ren said with a chuckle.

Chika's eyes sparkled.

"Eternal youth?!" she squeaked.

Ren shrugged again.

"With enough power? Yes. That's entirely possible."

The entire conversation about self-discipline, restraint, and responsibility evaporated in an instant.

The girls' expressions shifted from solemn contemplation to burning curiosity.

Because now...

They'd just discovered the ultimate incentive to seek power.

Longevity. Immortality. Eternal youth.

***

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