For over a week after the Khezu arena battle, Altaïr stayed in the training ground, digesting his gains and reflections from that fight.
The powerful turnaround slash that cleanly severed the Khezu's head in the final moments of the battle naturally became the primary focus of Altaïr and Amos's study.
After repeated attempts, they discovered this move placed exceptionally high demands on the user's physical capabilities and was difficult to perform under normal conditions.
Only when the Spirit Gauge was condensed into the red blade state, where physical functions were enhanced by the stimulation of the Spirit Gauge, and leveraging the strong inertia of the Spirit Roundslash, could it be executed with relative stability.
Therefore, Altaïr named it "Spinning Crimson Slash."
Francesca expressed severe disapproval of Altaïr's naming ability.
Even if you can't come up with poetic names like "Critical Juncture" or "Serene Pose," you could at least add some descriptive modifiers like "Sakura Slash" or "Sacred Sheathe Combo"!
"Spinning Crimson Slash" or something like that, isn't it way too literal?!
However, Amos greatly appreciated Altaïr's naming style for the new sword technique. In his eyes, things like "poetry," "rhyme," and "euphony" were all irrelevant.
If you tell someone unfamiliar, "Critical Juncture," who could guess what kind of move that is?
In comparison, "Spinning Crimson Slash" is much better. "Crimson Blade" represents the necessary state to execute the move, and "Spinning Slash" represents the form of the sword technique. Just like Crimson Slash I, II, and III, it's clear at a glance. How good!
For Altaïr, Amos's praise naturally carried far more weight than Francesca's suggestions, so the name Spinning Crimson Slash was thus determined.
Besides burying himself in sword practice and digesting the lessons from real combat, Altaïr also got to know quite a few people these past few days.
For the average spectator, Isis, with her wide-open, all-out style, suppressing the monster throughout, emphasizing the word "ferocious," was more popular.
But for experienced hunters, especially Long Sword users, what Altaïr displayed was more surprising to them.
The day after the arena ended, not just one but several Long Sword users found out Altaïr's address through various means and came to seek advice.
Even the Guild specially sent someone to record those new moves, offering substantial material rewards.
A young Long Sword user, just barely an adult, could perform several completely new sword techniques never heard of before, this shook them up quite a bit.
It wasn't until they learned that behind him stood a teacher like Amos that their full hearts of shock and disbelief turned into sudden realization.
Amos, the once-famous 8★ Long Sword user known as the "Swift Sword," after retiring and lying low for over a decade, developing several new sword techniques, this seemed much more reasonable than a teenager in his late teens suddenly coming up with several new moves on a whim.
Actually, that wasn't wrong. Apart from Crimson Slash I, which combined the Rising Slash and Descending Slash, the subsequent derivations of Crimson Slash, as well as the Spirit Charged Slash that shocked countless pairs of eyes, were indeed all developed by Amos himself.
However, he repeatedly emphasized to the Long Sword users who came seeking advice that Altaïr was the key figure who developed Crimson Slash and integrated Demon Mode and Charging into Long Sword techniques.
He was old, retired for many years; things like fame held no meaning for him.
But Altaïr was still young; the credit for creating new techniques could help him build connections, gain the Guild's attention and regard. The benefits of this would manifest in the future.
The only worry was whether Altaïr, still so young, might lose himself amidst the waves of praise.
But based on his observations over the past nearly two months, Amos was confident that Altaïr wasn't the frivolous type to get carried away with a bit of fame, which put him at ease.
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Training ground.
"Swish, swish!"
Two sword strokes that almost perfectly merged into one flashed by. The middle-aged female Long Sword user with silver-white hair pondered for a moment, then dispersed the gathered Spirit Gauge and fighting spirit around her.
"I see... Crimson Slash, it's in this form..." The female Long Sword user set down the training weapon and gave a slight bow to Altaïr and Amos.
"Thank you for the guidance."
"You're too kind." Altaïr repeatedly waved his hands.
This lady before him was the fastest learner among all the Long Sword users who came seeking advice. After just watching his demonstration a couple of times, she could almost immediately replicate Crimson Slash about seventy to eighty percent, just like Amos back then.
But on second thought, it didn't seem surprising. According to Amos's introduction, this lady was the famous Long Sword user known as the "Wings of the Gale." Amos's evaluation of her was extremely high.
A move like Crimson Slash, derived from basic sword techniques, probably didn't seem all that sophisticated in her eyes. Even if she learned it, she might not necessarily use it. More likely, she would draw inspiration from the concept to develop moves that suited her own combat habits.
Waiting beside the training ground, a male Light Bowgun user, whether her companion or husband it wasn't clear, laughed heartily. "Little brother Altaïr, Mr. Amos, we owe you a favor for this one! If you need help, please don't be polite, come find us anytime!"
After seeing off the two seniors, Altaïr let out a long sigh.
"How does it feel to teach a high-rank Hunter?" Amos chuckled, teasing him.
Altaïr gave a wry smile at the question, tidying up the training ground as he spoke. "Not great. It has an awkward feeling, like teaching a master smith how to forge iron."
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After tidying the training ground, the two left and returned home.
Noticing Altaïr's hesitation, looking like he wanted to say something, Amos pointed to the dining table, signaling him to go sit there.
He himself poured a cup of tea, placed it on the table, and asked, "What's on your mind?"
Altaïr somewhat guiltily picked up the teacup but didn't drink. He took a deep breath to steel himself before speaking up. "Um, Teacher Amos, it's like this... Isis and I are pretty much ready to leave."
He and Isis had discussed this a few days ago.
His Long Sword foundation was already filled in, and Isis's training under Instructor Altman was nearing its end. From here on, rapid improvement through further study and training was becoming unlikely.
Only through genuine real combat could they integrate everything, transforming it into their own strength.
Was arena combat real combat? Yes, and no.
Long-term captivity, environmental restrictions of the arena, and factors like preemptively damaging the monster's wing membranes for audience safety meant arena monsters were generally weaker than those in the wild.
Add to that the presence of powerful hunters watching over the fight, arena battles lacked the tension of truly teetering between life and death.
Relying solely on arena competitions could not cultivate truly powerful hunters.
To continue moving forward, the cruel hunting grounds of the natural world were their only choice.
Saying goodbye and leaving shouldn't have been difficult. He just needed to tell Teacher Amos, and Teacher Amos naturally wouldn't object, only feel gratified.
It was the same on Isis's side. Heard Instructor Altman was already preparing to chase her out with a stick...
But Isis's situation with Teacher Amos was different.
They weren't in a teacher-student relationship; they were family. Isis was afraid of getting scolded and didn't even dare bring it up herself, leaving him to speak alone.
That disloyal friend...
Seeing Altaïr's conflicted expression, Amos smiled and called out, "Stop hiding. I know you're up there. Come down."
There was no movement from upstairs.
Amos raised his voice a bit more. "Think I'm bluffing? Altaïr just looked upstairs. Hurry up and come down."
Altaïr: "??"
He definitely hadn't looked upstairs just now!
Footsteps sounded on the stairs. Isis, hiding upstairs, ran down with an ingratiating smile all over her face, hugged Amos on the chair, and squeezed out a voice, sweetly cooing.
"Grandpa Amos~~!"
"..." Altaïr hugged his arms and rubbed them; goosebumps had risen all over him.
Amos looked at her with amusement. "How come I never knew you were so timid before? Didn't even dare come out and say a word yourself?"
Seeing Amos didn't seem angry, Isis relaxed, squeezing into the chair next to Amos, even picking a few eye-catching snacks from the tea tray and tossing them into her mouth.
"Alright, stop eating."
Amos's suddenly stern voice almost made Isis choke. She snatched the cup from Altaïr's side, gulping down several mouthfuls before finally washing it down.
"For you two, Dundorma is too comfortable. Too many people actively looking after you. Staying here much longer will wear down your will, even blunt your heart's blade.
I'm gratified that you're willing to actively step out of this comfort zone." At this point, Amos paused.
He stared into their eyes and continued, "Traveling around to broaden your horizons and hone your skills can only be a good thing. I certainly won't stop you.
But I have one request I hope you'll abide by."
Altaïr and Isis nodded rapidly.
Facing Amos, they couldn't possibly say something like, "Tell us your request first, and we'll listen."
"To say something that might make you proud, you are both true geniuses in every sense. Your growth speed far exceeds my expectations. But this world isn't short of geniuses; it's short of hunters who live long enough to become strong.
The 3★ stage is the most critical period bridging novices and elite hunters, and also the most suitable time for polishing your own techniques.
One year. Starting now, spend at least another year consolidating at the 3★ stage.
After that, the staircase to higher levels will naturally appear before you."
(Translated by yourtl.app)