The ships did not sail directly into the island's harbor, but instead anchored on the outskirts.

Using a small boat suspended beside the main ship, Andre, along with Bobby, Ed, and Jason, rowed toward the island. Whenever they reached an island, Ed and Jason, the only two normal, straight men on the ship, had to disembark to seek some excitement. Otherwise, if they started living like the rest of the crew, they would definitely go crazy.

The others naturally stayed on the boat, as they were not interested in going ashore and also had to watch over the ship, since they were surrounded by potential robbers.

Nearly all the ships used this method to reach the island.

After all, the island's harbor looked so small and dilapidated that it certainly couldn't accommodate so many vessels—especially since these ships were all enormous.

After docking the small boat, Andre immediately took out four silver snakes and handed them to an old man guarding the boats.

Was that equivalent to an entrance fee of one silver snake per person? So expensive! Ed couldn't help but complain inwardly as he watched. He looked around at the countless ships, large and small, and took a deep breath to quiet his racing mind, which was already spinning fantasies of sneaking into the island owner's vault, looting his entire wealth, and achieving his dream of becoming rich in one fell swoop.

Low wooden huts were scattered all around the harbor.

They were built haphazardly, as if they could be toppled with a firm push.

The paths were simply muddy tracks formed by human footsteps; the conditions would be unimaginably terrible in damp weather.

It was practically a dilapidated and filthy slum.

However, judging by the people's clothing, none of them were dressed in rags.

Walking farther in, the entire town functioned as a market, with all sorts of stalls and shops lining both sides.

No one was hawking their wares; they simply displayed their goods quietly, waiting for customers.

Ed examined the items: unidentified limbs, various animal hides or furs, bones, and all sorts of objects whose purpose was completely unknown.

"Hey Jason, do you think we have any chance here?" Ed asked, deliberately slowing his pace as he turned to Jason, who was also observing the various shops.

"I don't think so. Otherwise, the captain wouldn't let us follow him. He'd shoo us away as soon as the ship landed in the harbor," Jason said, shaking his head in disappointment. After losing their last bet, because Ed had caught him off guard by revealing he could only last three hours with one girl, while Ed himself had entertained two for nearly four, Jason had been looking forward to a rematch. Sadly, it seemed he wouldn't get to prove himself this time.

Ed also shook his head in disappointment. It looked like he'd have to wait a few more weeks until they reached Meister Island before he could find a good spot for his "little brother" to have some fun.

Andre led them directly to a small wooden house not far away.

Inside, an old man reclined in a chair.

"Oh my, what a rare guest! Andre! It's a pleasure to have you here!"

The old man stood up, acting very enthusiastically, and tried to give Andre a hug.

Andre simply pushed him away and said coldly, "Buying something."

The old man wasn't annoyed; he just smiled and rubbed his hands together.

Bobby stepped forward and began negotiating.

"These materials aren't cheap."

Hearing this, Andre turned to look at him, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"Looking at me like that won't do any good. The Death Worshippers have arrived nearby, and their presence has severely impacted the surrounding area, naturally affecting the price of these materials."

"How much?" Andre asked coldly, his eyes dead and flat.

Hearing this, the old man smiled, revealing a mouthful of rotten teeth.

"Six gold leaves."

Andre clearly didn't want to negotiate further. He handed over one gold leaf and one gold sail.

{ A/N: 200 Copper Swallows = 1 Silver Snake | 5 Silver Snakes = 1 Golden Leaf | 5 Golden Leaves = 1 Gold Sail. }

The old man took them, rubbed the coins together, and walked into the back courtyard with a smile.

Not long after, he returned carrying two suitcases and a cloth bag.

"Let's count them."

Andre and Bobby simply picked up the suitcases and bags from the ground and led the two newbies out, showing no intention of counting anything.

It seemed this shopkeeper was quite trustworthy.

They silently returned to the small boat, rowed back to their ship, and set sail again, leaving the area. Throughout the journey, Andre tried his best to avoid contact with others or show any sign of letting the two newbies wander off in search of fun.

...

"Here you are, Ed. These are the materials for the spells you want to learn. If you fail to learn them, or if you want to learn other spells later, you'll have to collect the materials yourself or pay for them."

Old Bobby smiled and handed several sets of materials to Ed.

After receiving them, Ed returned to his room.

He looked at the three sets of materials laid out before him: [Cross of Righteous Fire], [Silver Blade], and [Spiral Water Chain]. These corresponded to the three spells listed in Jack's Manual.

The treasure-hunting team didn't have the patterns for the first two spells, nor information about their corresponding materials. However, when Ed asked for these materials, they didn't ask too many questions. Jason, for example, had also requested materials for a spell whose pattern he didn't know.

The first set was provided free of charge; any further materials would have to be purchased or collected by Ed himself. Furthermore, many of these components weren't for learning the spells, but for inscribing them onto cards, and those, Ed would have to pay for out of his own pocket.

"You should learn [Silver Blade] first; its material resonates more easily," Lucilia said from the side, rubbing her chin thoughtfully, a habit she'd picked up from Ed, who did the same whenever he was deep in thought.

The material for [Silver Blade] was a kind of insect carapace that gleamed with a metallic sheen.

"When learning, take out a few silver snakes and place them on your arm, letting your skin touch them," she advised.

Ed followed Lucilia's instructions and began. As for the incantation for Silver Blade, he had memorized it thoroughly long ago.

Using the Resonance Technique, it took Ed most of the day to master the spell. After all, Silver Blade wasn't simple, it was much more difficult to learn than Soundbird. Thankfully, he was relatively compatible with it.

Extending his index finger, a faint silver light shimmered on its surface as magic surged through. Ed lightly traced a line on the corner of the table. The silver light allowed his finger to scratch the wood as though it were a sharp blade.

This was the effect of Silver Blade: it made a part of the limb as sharp as a blade, marked by a faint silver glow on the surface when active.

"It's probably better to inscribe it on a card," Ed mused. Inscribed on a card, its sharpness would reach an exaggerated level, especially since he usually avoided close combat. With high-quality materials, it could easily cut through steel bars. Even with ordinary materials, its edge would far surpass that of a fine sword.

Sigh… If, along with sharpening, this spell could also harden a body part, it would be another trump card, useful not only in battle but also for impressing the ladies.

"How do you resonate with this material? Do you put yourself in water or a whirlpool?" Ed asked, pushing those useless thoughts aside as he picked up the material for [Spiral Water Chain].

"No, you just need to listen to the sound of the ocean. The clearer the sound, the faster you learn. However, it's best not to study today. Learning through resonance is very mentally taxing. Rest tonight and try tomorrow. Haste makes waste."

Hearing Lucilia's suggestion, Ed nodded. It made sense, and he was also feeling tired after working all day.

"What about this one?" Ed asked, pointing to the last material.

"I suggest you learn [Cross of Righteous Fire] last. This material requires a relatively high-temperature environment to speed up the learning. That's difficult to arrange on the ship, so you'll likely have to use the old method and comprehend it slowly."

Hearing this, Ed could only nod helplessly. Trying to learn every spell through resonance wasn't going to be easy.

But then Ed thought of something. "Would hot water work? Could I soak in hot water?"

Lucilia looked momentarily confused. "Hmm…theoretically, it should be feasible. But the water temperature would need to be quite high. Could you handle it?"

"Magic can strengthen my physique, so perhaps it will work. Wouldn't hurt to try," Ed said, rubbing his chin as he considered the flexibility of this method. But that was a matter for later, for now, he needed to rest.

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