After finally receiving such an important skill, Iain bowed deeply towards the old smith. Although the latter didn't understand what happened, the old man took this gesture for granted as he patted Iain's back.
After secretly swiping away the drop of blood from his eye, Iain waited together with the other team members until the old smith was done with his work.
To Iain's regret the old smith had already repaired Uramant's staff before they arrived. He was very interested in the workings of such a weapon, which was constructed to support the wielder's magic.
The young smith understood today that he would need a teacher sooner or later. Simply learning from books probably won't allow him to advance rapidly.
With this realization Iain felt that he really gained too much from this visit. He was naturally in a great mood when the team gathered again, and they began to search for Voro.
Fortunately, Groob and his team had worked together for a long time, so they knew each other's habits. Thus, they soon found Voro in a small park.
He comfortably sat under a tree with his eyes closed. A few adventures around him were doing the same. Lilly watched them in confusion, while Iain asked Groob:
"What is Voro doing? And what about the others? Why is everyone resting?"
Groob slightly rolled his eyes at this question.
"They aren't resting, they are preparing. Didn't I already teach you how to set your main skills?"
Iain smiled slightly in embarrassment. Since their parents helped the siblings with changing their skills, Iain had buried this issue in the back off his mind.
Slightly bewilder by Groob's harsh response, Uramant added on:
"Only a few of them are setting their main skills. There is little incentive to change those after all.
Most of the adventurers here are preparing their spells and techniques."
Lily noticed that Groob crossed his arms when this topic came up. He clearly didn't want to talk about this. However, his team member answer without scruples:
"Spells and techniques are extensions of skills. For example:
I, as someone prioritizing ice magic, like the spell ice wall. If I set it in a spell slot, the vault will boost the spell whenever I use it.
At the same time spells and techniques help you to use your stats more efficiently. Thus, someone with the same stats will appear to be stronger if they have a better technique.
Unfortunately spells and techniques are not that easy to come by. You either need to join some organization or be prepared to pay a lot of money."
A contemplating expression appeared on Lilly's face. The young woman quickly sorted this new information in her brain.
"Then are there any limitations to spells?"
"Yes, of course. Spells and techniques can only be learned if you have the corresponding skills. A few rare exceptions to this rule exist, but they aren't important right now.
Furthermore, you only have a few spell slots. Their number corresponds to the amount of main skill you have set. So it would be three for you right now.
You can learn more spells, but they wouldn't be strengthened by the vault."
"Is it hard to learn spells then?"
"In general, it can't be considered difficult. Everyone can do it. Sometimes you just need to practice a few more times until the you can pull them off without thinking."
After listening to this explanation Iain turned to face Groob.
"Can we learn some techniques from you then? I guess I would need some for my hammer skill."
Listening to Iain's question, Groob threw Uramant a displeased look.
"I'm sorry, but Nua didn't pay for this."
Now Uramant also understood his blunder. But he could only smile apologetically.
"Oh. Then what if we pay more?"
Let's talk about it later.", grumbled Groob.
Just as Iain wanted to continue, Lilly grabbed his arm and pulled him towards the side. She clearly wasn't pleased with Groob's response.
"I guess I understand more about the word mercenary now.", whispered the young woman.
At this moment Voro was finally done with his preparations. The tall lightning mage approached his team while wondering about the weird atmosphere.
"Is everything ok?"
Groob and Lilly answered at the same time:
"Sure!"
Uramant only sighed lightly as he waved his hand.
"Let's go."
With those words the ice magician took the lead. Voro looked at his team's back in bewilderment before following behind them.
Finally, the team reached the last stop before they could enter the Frozen Hell. A checkpoint prevented them from entering another street. After a soldier scanned their IDs, everyone got assigned their own house belonging to this street.
Knowing that those would be their homes for the next two months, the siblings familiarize themselves with the simple metal buildings before leaving all unnecessary baggage behind.
They only carried their weapons, armors, and some medicine as they would finally enter the Frozen Hell.
Done with their preparations, the team met again on the street. Fortunately, everyone's moods had returned to normal. Especially the seasoned adventurers naturally wouldn't make such a rookie mistake and enter the Frozen Hell with a bad mental state.
Serious expressions could be seen on everyone's faces as they neared the Church of Light's temple. Groob had told them that the place of worship also contained the escalator leading them to the Frozen Hell.
A few others joined the team on their way. The adventurers obviously saw the direction their colleagues were taking.
Iain and Lilly were initially confused as everyone who joined their group were greeted with a 'May Genenn bless your hunt!'.
Luckily an especially pious looking bow wielder explained with fervor in his eyes after Lilly asked about this greeting:
"Genenn is a subordinate under the God of Light. He was only a small human king before he followed our god. A year later he suddenly made a name for himself when he hunted down a member of the Aquenti, who was supposed to be a lot stronger than him.
But Genenn was fearless. He elevated the art of hunting and used every trick perfectly to fell the beast. Later on…"
Lilly lost focus while the fan of Genenn rambled on. She was more interested in the new word that fell, but unfortunately there wasn't much time left.
The group of adventurers finally arrived at the temple. An invisible pressure spread from the sacred building.
Right behind the entrance a dignified man in white robes silently judged the incoming warriors. His sharp gaze seemingly penetrated everyone's hearts.
A few adventures who carried some guilt with them even unconsciously ducked away from the old priests' eyes. One or two sinners even went so far as to pay some tribute to an apprentice at the side in order to feel relieve.
When the priests gaze reached the siblings, he didn't stop, but both of them felt as if something had just touched their souls. Lilly's body shook form this strange feeling, but she naturally knew not to be too obvious about it.
After only a week Lilly and Iain had already learned that any kind of insult towards the Church of Light could bring grave consequences.
Fortunately, the adventurers didn't stop but slowly advanced into the temple's interior.
A solemn atmosphere ensued as the siblings passed a broad gate. Only the sound of heavy steps sounded while Iain and Lilly watched the spacious hall they had entered.
To the sibling's surprise none of the pomp the temple presented on the outside could be found here. Rays of light shone through massive windows. Only a few of them were directed towards the simple stone flooring. Most of them converge on a small statue of the God of Light.
Just like other statues so far this one also depicted a healthy, middle-aged man in a wide robe. In one hand he held his characteristic staff. In the open palm of his other hand laid a tiny prism.
The scattered rainbow lights which thus spread form the statue's open hand were a feast for the eyes. Lilly and Iain were captivated by this wonderful display.
Following the colorful light with her eyes, Lilly quickly detected multiple shelves with old-school books lining the temples side. The young woman was surprised that the Church of Light seemingly valued such old-fashioned records.
Of course she didn't understand the symbolism at play here. It was simply common knowledge that the God of Light valued knowledge above all. He was an avid researcher, allowing him to be acknowledged as the pioneer of theoretical magic by the entire universe.
Although the young woman would have loved to rummage through those books, now was naturally not the time. After copying everyone else and bowing to the statue before them, the siblings crossed another door and followed an unadorned hallway.
At its end a few scattered soldiers were waiting for the adventurers. They demanded a small fee before gathering all their customers on an elevated platform.
As soon as it was filled a soldier shouted a short order.
Fortunately, the siblings already knew what to expect this time, so they weren't surprised as the platform suddenly sunk into the ground.