Everyone present was well aware of this, including Elton himself. Seeing that she had successfully put Elton in his place with her words

Maria turned around to return to the corner.

“Wait!" Elton suddenly called out to stop her, with a sneer spreading across his face. "It's true that you barely have any talent, and you won't achieve anything even if you were trained in physical combat. Luckily for you, I happen to need an assistant in my lab. If you are willing to take me as your master, you'Ll be taken care of."

The obscene motive behind Elton's offer to Maria shone through in his words.

Most of the people who were confused about Elton's intention before were clear about it now.