After leaving the prison and heading back into the city, Altaïr walked in silence, deep in thought.
Now that he had the complete training method, learning Devouring Demon would not be difficult, at least for him. He had already mastered several sword techniques built around similar bursts of fighting spirit. Devouring Demon simply took the same principle further, to a far more reckless extreme.
But as Sid had said, unlike ordinary sword techniques or Hunter Arts, Devouring Demon was not something he could practice in a dojo or against a practice target in the Training Area.
The training instructions repeatedly emphasized, "The demon blade must be offered a blood sacrifice." In plain English, he needed a living Monster as his target. Only the exhilaration of a brutal fight amid flying blood and flesh could push him into the so-called state of Devouring Demon, where wielder and blade became one. Otherwise, he could never withstand the backlash from boiling his blood.
In short, if he did not actually cut into something, training this technique could kill him.
Finding a Monster to practice against would be easy. He only had to visit the Gathering Hall and accept any low-star 2★ or 3★ quest.
Dundorma bordered the Wetlands to the north and the Forest and Hills to the west, so there was no shortage of Monsters nearby.
The real problem was... how to fool Isis.
He had, in fact, kept his plans to train in Devouring Demon from her. If she found out, she would oppose him and put a stop to it.
Isis had originally planned to accompany him on his prison visit to see Sid. He had fobbed her off with a string of excuses, and she was already growing suspicious.
If he suddenly began accepting low-star quests he would normally never consider, she would undoubtedly chase after him and demand answers.
Most of the time, that girl was merely too lazy to think; she was not actually stupid. Once she put her mind to something, she was frighteningly perceptive...
Morgan had already left to prepare for his promotion to High Rank, so Altaïr could not ask him to help cover his tracks.
As far as Isis was concerned, Altaïr was practically a patient. Every few days, she dragged him to see Alva for a "checkup." Forget training in Devouring Demon; she would bristle if he spent even a few extra hours in the Training Area.
Training Devouring Demon right under her nose would be a serious problem...
So was there some way he could fight low-star Monsters to his heart's content without arousing Isis's suspicion or concern, and use them to train Devouring Demon?
How could anything that convenient possibly exist? ... Wait. There might actually be a way.
Just as he was about to head home, which now essentially meant Isis's place, Altaïr stopped, turned around, and set off toward the Gathering Hall.
—--
The People's Tavern in Dundorma was as lively as ever. Even though noon had only just passed, plenty of Hunters with nothing better to do were already eating and drinking heartily.
Though Altaïr wore no Armor, his physique clearly marked him as a Hunter, and a few people even called out to invite him over for a drink.
Altaïr politely declined and headed straight for the Quest Counter.
"How can I help you?" the guild receptionist asked with a warm, professional smile.
Altaïr gave her a polite nod, then turned his gaze to the elderly Wyverian sitting at the edge of the counter, dozing with a pipe clenched between his teeth.
"Sir, there's something I'd like to discuss with you." He knew the elder was not actually asleep. Beneath his drooping, bushy brows, he kept watch over everything happening in the People's Tavern.
"Hm? Altaïr." The Guild Manager looked up.
He held this rising Hunter star in considerable regard.
He also knew that scholars were keeping Altaïr under observation after a mysterious microorganism infected him during his battle with the Radiant Dragon. Otherwise, the two of them would never have secured such a long leave.
Had he come to extend his sick leave because the scholars had found a problem?
Probably not. If something had truly gone wrong, the Royal Academy would have informed him immediately. Besides, knowing this young man, Altaïr was far more likely to ask him to cancel the sick leave than extend it.
That was one request he absolutely could not grant. This young man was no longer merely promising talent. He had already grown into a sturdy tree and was visibly becoming a pillar of the Guild with each passing day.
He was not His Immenseness, with his fondness for pushing promising Hunters to grow before their time. There was no urgent quest that absolutely required the pair at present, so Altaïr was going to remain in Dundorma and receive treatment until every hidden health risk had been resolved.
With that in mind, the Guild Manager lit his pipe and asked gently, "What is it?"
"I want to participate in the Arena Challenge." Altaïr came straight to the point.
"The Arena Challenge?" The Guild Manager was taken aback.
Altaïr's request had caught him completely off guard.
Most Arena Challenge participants were ranked from 2★ to 5★. High Rank Hunters almost never took part.
The reason was simple. Tranquilizing and capturing Monsters, then transporting them into an Arena inside the city to fight Hunters, carried considerable risk.
A Large Flying Wyvern such as Rathalos was already the limit of what the Arena's staff and facilities could control.
To ensure everyone's safety, the Arena workers would damage part of the Rathalos's wing membrane beforehand, preventing it from truly flying.
They would also station several fully armed 5★ Hunters in the Training Area, ready to subdue the Monster immediately if the competing Hunter lost.
They could bring something like a Rajang into the Arena if they truly insisted. But then they would have to consider the possibility of it snapping its chains, tearing through the bars, leaping into the stands to massacre the audience, or even rampaging through the bustling streets. The risk was simply too horrifying.
A Hunter capable of quickly subduing a High Rank Monster would need to be at least 7★, perhaps even 8★.
Where could they find so many top-tier experts with nothing better to do than serve as security guards at the Arena?
Except in the most extraordinary circumstances, the Guild would never place a High Rank Monster in the Arena.
This kid...
The Guild Manager was about to refuse him sternly, but Altaïr hurriedly added, "I'm not planning to fight anything too outrageous in the Arena.
"A Yian Kut-Ku would be fine. Even something weaker, like a Bullfango or Velocidrome, would work.
"To be honest, my sick leave has dragged on far too long. I'd like to use this opportunity to keep my swordsmanship sharp and try out a few new techniques at the same time."
"If I accepted a quest and went Hunting in the wild, Isis would only worry, so I thought I could take part in the Arena Challenge instead.
"That way, I get a chance to hone my swordsmanship, Isis does not have to worry, and against low-star Monsters I can afford to fight in a more 'spectacular' style that will satisfy the audience.
"Everyone wins, don't you think?"
"Hmm... If that's all you want, it shouldn't be a problem. At most, I'd pit you against a Monster with a 5★ Danger Rating. Of course, you can't start at 5★. You'd have to begin with a 2★ Monster and work your way up so the audience can watch you grow..." the Guild Manager mused.
In truth, Altaïr's proposal tempted him.
The main purpose of the Guild organizing an Arena Challenge was publicity.
After all, ordinary citizens could hardly venture into the wild to watch a Hunt.
In the Arena, their safety could be guaranteed while they witnessed Hunters bringing down Monsters in all their glory. That improved the public's understanding of the Hunters' and the Guild's work, eased their fear of Monsters, and, most importantly, inspired young people.
Every year, quite a few young people aspired to become Hunters after watching the Arena Challenge. Especially in a major city like Dundorma, it had become a vital way for the Training Camp to recruit fresh blood.
So here was the question.
Who was more popular, the strong Hunter who chased a Monster down and cut it apart, or the weak Hunter who ran for his life?
Who drew more attention, a young face in his twenties, or an old-timer in his fifties or sixties?
Was there even any need to ask? A young powerhouse would always be the most popular figure in the Arena Challenge. Yet what young prodigy had enough free time to spend his days in the Arena trouncing lower-tier opponents?
Huh? Wasn't one standing right here?
"But I do have one small condition," Altaïr said with a smile.
"Let's hear it first." The Guild Manager eyed him warily.
He knew this kid was not the type to stay out of trouble.
"I want you to tell everyone... well, Isis mainly, that you were the one who asked me to participate in the Arena Challenge. Say you thought I was getting bored and wanted to give me something to do, or use whatever explanation you prefer.
"That's all."
The Guild Manager's gaze filled with understanding and exasperation.
Of course, he knew that besides being partners and lovers, the two also regarded each other as rivals.
This kid was trying to sneak in some extra training behind Isis's back, wasn't he?
What a crafty brat. Still, the old man liked young people with that kind of drive.
"Fine. I agree."