Grey saw the worry in the faces of the Old man and the middle-aged man. They knew Flint was no match for Grey, but they never thought the battle against Grey would stimulate Flint to this extent. If he had just improved by a little, it would've been okay. But losing such a talent, at this level was going to be heartbreaking for the Old man, and also humans in general.
Grey could only shake his head as he muttered, "One person less wouldn't change the dynamic of the battle."
The thought of not defeating Flint was thrown away, there was no way he was going to let Flint win in such a manner. But he also felt it would be better if Flint was allowed to break through.
'Just stay on your own and you'll be good.' Grey was praying fervently for Flint not to try to make any moves on him. As long as Flint stayed on his own and completed his breakthrough, he would advance, even if Grey beats him.
However, things like these are always so simple. First off, Flint was in the middle of a battle and would most likely attack once he felt confident enough. This was the reason Grey fell into a dilemma.
If he tried to tell Flint to break through first before fighting him, Flint would believe Grey was looking down on him again, given his pride and would attack.
Grey thought about it and suddenly sat down, seemingly as if comprehending something, he whispered to Flint, "When I'm done comprehending this, we will continue our battle."
Flint found Grey's words baffling, but he didn't try to attack. Others would call him names if he dared to attack someone in the midst of a breakthrough. With no other choice, he was forced to complete his breakthrough. Although a battle would make it better, there was no way to fight now.
The Old man and the middle-aged man heaved a sigh of relief, but then there was also a hint of pity. Since Flint could not fight Grey while in the midst of this, he couldn't advance to a good stage. He might've become a grade eight expert, but there wasn't much difference in his strength.
Fighting Grey at that time was the perfect way to sharpen his new strength, but since he can't fight, his strength wouldn't soar as it was supposed to due to the increase in grade.
'It's better than being knocked back or even going lower after getting beaten.'
Both the Old and middle-aged men came to the same conclusion. This was for the best, and Grey's thought process was quite different since he was able to think of such a way that would not really change the outcome of the battle, but it would still somewhat benefit Flint.
'This kid is smart, very smart for his age.' The Old man squinted his eyes.
It only took a minute and Grey noticed it was fine to attack Flint now. He stopped his pretense and asked to continue the fight.
Flint was in high spirits, he could feel the increase in his strength, the sudden surge in his elemental essence. He attacked, and he felt this attack was on another level.
Grey saw the attack and took a step forward, unleashing an attack of his own. The two attacks collided, and to the shock of everyone present, the outcome was still the same. Flint was pushed back from the impact while Grey took another step forward.
Flint, who was in high spirits felt like he a bucket of cold water was poured on his body. His expression changed when he realized even with the increase, he was still no match for Grey.
With a single attack, Grey showed him the difference between them, while also doing it with relative ease. It was evident Grey wasn't even trying too hard, he was just fighting as if there was no other option.
Flint steeled his heart, he was going to continue. He wouldn't stop the fight unless he was defeated. There was still a chance for him to emerge victorious from the battle, all he needs to do is to stay calm.
Grey naturally didn't have any of these thoughts, he took another step, and it was as if a giant was stepping on Flint's heart. With each step Grey takes, he felt his heart skip a beat. Grey was too strong, and at this rate, he would eventually accept the fact that he was not on the same level as Grey. But how could he?
Grey shook his head when he saw the series of emotions flashing through the face of Flint. This was a good resolve to have, but certain times, it was better to give up.
Grey knew for a fact that if he were in the same position as Flint, he would've given up a long time ago. There's no shame in admitting that someone is better than you. Flint even got a little upgrade, that was the best scenario.
Grey had faded multiple situations where he had to lower his head down for others due to not being strong enough to challenge them. When he first came to the Aurora Continent, he was used by others, Sylvia included for their personal gains. He knew resisting was futile, so he gave up and decided to follow them. Since these people didn't have the intention of killing him, then he would do as they want.
Now he was stronger than Sylvia, after a few years. If he had been stubborn and got on Sylvia's bad side, there's no guarantee that she wouldn't have killed him. It was that simple, the strongest person has the right to do whatever they want.
Flint's eyes glowed with fierce determination and he charged at the incoming Grey, even if he were to lose, he would not lose with his head down.
"Good spirit!" The Old man praised from the side.
The middle-aged man was also impressed by the spirit of Flint. Unfortunately, his spirit is not enough to fight against someone as powerful as Grey.
The middle-aged man was getting a feeling that there's a possibility that even a grade nine expert might not be on the same level as Grey.
Grey was literally fighting against someone who was in the eighth grade, effortlessly. If Grey were to show his full strength, it's unknown if Flint would be able to take a single attack.
What the middle-aged man found odd was that he didn't know the strength gap between a grade nine expert and a grade eight one. A grade eight expert rarely appears, much less a grade nine one like Grey and his friends.
'I think I should urge that little girl to challenge the Water Elementalist.'
The middle-aged man wants to see how Klaus would perform to know how he would classify Grey. Personally, he felt Grey was superior to a regular grade nine expert, and the only way to find out is by seeing the strength of another grade nine expert.
'Could his advantage have to do with having multiple elements? With more things at his disposal, he will naturally be far more dangerous.'
Multiple thoughts raced through the head of the middle-aged man, but he didn't know his answer. His eyes moved to the face of the young lady who was the leader of the group of seven, he had no choice, he would have to force her into challenging Klaus.
The chances of her getting defeated was very high, but this will also give him a general idea of how a grade nine expert was.
'Is there a grade higher than nine?'
While the middle-aged man was thinking about all these, Grey was unleashing some attacks on Flint.
Flint tried to best to match up to Grey, but the difference in strength only became more evident as the battle intensified. Before long, it was no longer a battle between too people, but it was just a case of how long Flint could withstand Grey's seige.
Grey was too strong, that was obvious, but Flint being able to last this long while being at a disadvantage from the start showed how powerful he was as well. It was unfortunate he had to face someone like Grey who was above his league.
Boom! Bam!
Flint's figure was sent flying multiple times, but he still kept coming back. A few more times and he could barely stand on his own.
Grey walked over to him and said, "You're strong. Not on my level, but strong compared to most I've seen."
Flint almost wanted to feel like it was an insult, but seeing Grey's expression, he knew it was some sort of compliment.
"I'll accept my defeat today, but this will not be our last battle. I'll come back once I've grown stronger, and I will defeat you." Flint replied.
Grey shrugged with his usual nonchalance, there was no point in speaking any further. Flint was not on the same level as he is, and even in a year or two, he still wouldn't be in the same level as him.
