Later that day.
Grey and his friends could be seen walking on a forest path, and Klaus was surprisingly carrying Reynolds on his back.
Grey still didn't know how Reynolds was able to convince Klaus to carry him on his back, he recalled Klaus was the one who was complaining at the start of the journey.
'Hey.' Void who was in Alice's arms glanced at Klaus and Reynolds with a weird look.
'Yeah.' Grey replied.
'I know I've said this a lot of times, but your friends are weird, except for Alice. Alice is nice.' said Void.
'Heh! At least they're not that crazy.' Grey chuckled not feeling offended by Void's statement.
He didn't need anyone to tell him his friends were weird, he knew their personalities, but he loved them. Life wouldn't be the same anymore without them.
'Yeah, but I think they're not far from it.' Void added.
Klaus and Reynolds were currently arguing while Reynolds was still on Klaus' back.
Grey looked behind him and couldn't help but wonder where Reynolds' confidence came from. Reynolds was stronger than Klaus, which is well known by the group, but he was currently on Klaus' back. Given Klaus' personality, he would most likely slam him into the ground when their argument gets to a heated stage.
"Wait, what are you people arguing about again?" He asked, trying to stop the duo before it's too late.
"If magical beasts ruled the world, who do you think would be the leader?" Klaus asked.
"Well, I think..."
"It's a hydra, right?" Reynolds interrupted Grey.
"Of course not, it's a peacock with a multi-colored tail." Klaus said angrily.
"Wait, do peacocks usually have a single colored tail?" Grey asked a little confused.
"Shut up Grey! Peacocks are amazing magical beasts, they're not only beautiful, but they're also strong when using any of the elements. Also, most peacocks are at the very least Dual Elementalists." said Klaus.
"*Pfft* Grey, can you believe this guy? How can a peacock be as strong as a hydra? Have you forgotten they have over three heads? And according to legends, each head not only uses one element, but it can also work separately from the others." Reynolds laughed out loudly.
Hydras were legendary creatures just like dragons, griffins, phoenix, and the rest. According to the legends, it was said that they were a type of dragon. They are said to have two heads from birth, but with time, they would start growing a third head that not only has a different element from the first two but can also operate on its own. There are very few records of hydras having only a single head, most of them had at least two heads.
It was also said that if one of a hydra's heads was cut off, it would grow two new ones from the wound, that's how it's said to grow multiple heads.
How could a colorful peacock be stronger than that?
"I personally feel that dragons would be the leader." Grey said after finally getting the chance to speak.
"Can dragons regenerate heads?" Reynolds asked.
"No, I don't think so." Grey shook his head.
"Is the tail of a dragon as colorful as a peacock's?" Klaus asked.
"Not really." Grey shook his head once again.
"Okay, now go over there, let the real men argue which magical beast is better." Klaus pointed at a spot not too far from them in a mocking way.
Grey was left speechless seeing how the two chased him away, it was like they didn't even think of the strength of a dragon.
'Most people regard dragons as the rulers of the magical beasts, how the hell does these idiots' thought process work?' He asked internally, of course, he didn't dare to continue arguing with the duo.
In regards to strength, he was the strongest. However, he knew Klaus and Reynolds wouldn't try to beat him up, rather, they'll team up and curse at him. He could barely face either of them one-on-one, much less when the duo ganged up on him.
They continued walking before what Grey predicted happened.
Bang!
Reynolds slammed into the ground hard after being thrown by Klaus. Not expecting it, he couldn't resist it.
"Fuck you! Either you accept that peacocks are the strongest, or you get out." Klaus pointed at Reynolds who was currently lying on the floor.
Grey and Alice looked at them but didn't try to stop them.
"Do you think Reynolds would beat him up?" Grey walked closer to Alice and asked softly.
"Yeah." Alice nodded.
Since Reynolds became a high-grade summoner, Klaus had been getting the short end of the stick whenever they got into a fight. The Elemental Warrior could easily overwhelm him, yet the fact that Klaus was still always the one who first attacks is surprising.
"Damn you! Peacocks are nothing, they wouldn't even last a second if confronted by a hydra." Reynolds stood up angrily and pointed at Klaus.
The duo soon got into a hand-to-hand brawl with Grey and Alice watching on from the side. With both boys using their fists, it was a battle filled with screams from both sides.
"*Sigh* I'll stop them." Grey shook his head as he walked over.
"What do you want?" Klaus whose head was locked between Reynolds' arms asked when he saw Grey approaching.
"Stop fighting, we need to get to the next city before it gets dark." Grey said but made sure to keep his distance from the duo.
"Damn you, I still want to beat him up." Klaus said.
"Me too." Reynolds raised one hand which Klaus capitalized on to escape.
Grey looked at the duo, feeling a little helpless. Sometimes, he felt like he was speaking to two kids. He walked back to where Alice was standing, just as she was about to take over, an idea struck him.
He quickly went back to where the duo was facing off against each other.
"How about this, we'll fight hand-to-hand without using any elements. If I beat any of you, we'll leave immediately, and you wouldn't delay us any further." Grey proposed.
"And if we beat you?" Reynolds asked curiously.
"Then you beat me, isn't that enough for you? But remember, we'll start the journey immediately after the fight." Grey said.
Klaus and Reynolds looked at each other, and the duo who were previously fighting against themselves drew nearer.
"Hey, do you think this is a trap?" Klaus whispered in Reynolds' ear.
"I think so, but beating him sounds good. Also, if he cheats, I'll summon my Elemental Warrior." Reynolds said thoughtfully.
"Hmm, deal. But remember, you are not allowed to take revenge after we're done beating you up." Klaus agreed to Grey's proposal, while also warning him.
"Of course, shall we?" Grey motioned as his lips curved upwards.
Alice by the side shook her head while staring at Klaus and Reynolds in pity. She still recalled Grey's insane physical strength, yet these two morons readily agreed to be beaten by him.
Gently caressing Void, she watched as Grey prepared to pummel the duo.
'They've been too much of a headache lately, this should teach them a lesson.' She nodded at the thought of Grey beating them up.
