A light wave rippled across the plaid black surface of the realm, seemingly stretching indefinitely. The soft white light from the above did not reflect on its surface, giving it an offputting look. Things didn't really match in Valerie's Illusory realm.
"Ah, that sounded cooler in my head."
Valerie stood the same distance away from Quies as she did when they were still on the schooner. She had her arms outstretched in a grandiose way, but slowly dropped them, seemingly out of embarrassment.
"Anyways, as my super duper creative name states, this whole area is an illusion, conjured up by yours truly! The best part? I can make and do whatever I want!"
Quies stood facing her. A moment later, after he blinked, a simple broadsword appeared in Valerie's hand. She inspected it and lightly did some swings, getting a feel for it.
'Where even are we? Did she magically transport two of us into a region of lumen this devoid?'
"So… what happened to the ship?"
She paused and looked at Quies. Her gaze was suffocating as per usual.
"Oh, we're still on it. Do you need me to explain the meaning of an illusion to you like a five year old?"
"...Yes. I think you do."
Valerie dropped an eyebrow, not expecting that answer.
"Okay. So you see, I am merely only changing the perception of your surroundings, not the surroundings themselves. Think of me as an intermediary between the outside world and your senses. It's similar to a dream, sort of, where all of your senses are active and stuff but you're actually just sleeping on a nice and cozy mattress."
She gave the broadsword one more light swing and thought for a moment.
"However, it does leave my body vulnerable to attacks and whatnot while I'm in this state. Same goes for any other person that I have dragged into this realm. Look at your hand really quick."
Quies moved his hand up while simultaneously looking down with his head. In it, he noticed the same broadsword which Valerie was holding just moments ago.
'It just… appeared. Wow.'
"Since we have some time, I figured that you could spend it practicing your fighting skills, and I could shake the rust off. Win-win situation! Now practice your slashes really quick so I can prepare your first… how do I say it… trial? Yeah, trial."
He held the sword in his right hand, not knowing what to do with it. He had used more primitive weapons during his period of isolation, but they were more similar to a dagger. Carrying a sharp hunk of stone around wouldn't be ideal. However, he did remember a few techniques from how far he read into the book.
'YOUR BLOOD QUIVERS'
'The book said there were three basic slashes to master. A downwards diagonal slash, an upwards diagonal slash, and a horizontal slash.'
He positioned himself into a high guard position similar to the diagrams in the book. He took note of his stance, the positioning of his feet, and the grip he had on the sword.
'Each cut should be fluid. Just like a punch, use your whole body to generate force. Push and pull…'
He swung the sharp blade downward. However, he had put a little too much force into the swing, causing him to lurch forward and the blade barely missing his left leg.
'Okay… I think I can do it. I just have to practice… a lot.'
He moved the blade back into a high guard and performed a downwards diagonal slash once more, this time making sure he followed through with his strike, but didn't let the force dictate how he would move. He raised his sword and performed the same slash again.
Over time, he began getting used to how his sword felt. The pause in between high guard and the actual swing itself reduced, and he thought less and less about how to perform the movement in his head. Eventually, he grew tired and had to take a break. He was no superhuman after all.
"Now that I think about it, maybe you need a little lesson before I begin your little trial."
Quies sat hunched over on the ground. Valerie stood over him a few paces away/
"Do you know how to parry?"
Quies looked to the side of her head, avoiding her suffocating gaze. He was still catching his breath. However, he also took advantage of his elevated heart rate and began using blood enhancement passively, so it posed some difficulty to be able to listen to what Valerie was saying. Not to mention the voices calling to him.
"I haven't got to that part of the book yet."
"Great! I'll demonstrate how it works then! Turn around for me really quick."
Quies raised into a kneeling position and turned his torso to look behind him. Once he caught sight of what was behind him, though, he immediately recoiled back out of trauma.
A towering megalodaunt loomed right above him.
"Oh! Sorry, I should've warned you. That will be my co-demonstrator for today. Don't worry, he doesn't bite."
Quies stared at the giant creature, now laying on his back. Upon a closer look, he noticed a few irregularities within the creature. It seemed too… still. It was more like a mannequin rather than a living being. The skin also seemed smoother, lacking the rough and scaly texture that the real megalodaunt he encountered had. It was like looking at it from a distance, where all of the little details blend in. Still creeped out by it, Quies slowly scooted his way from under it as Valerie began her lesson.
"What makes parrying different from blocking is that you put a force into your blade to counteract the moving force of the moving object. For sword to sword combat, you would strike the tip of their blade, where you can get the most torque to off put their inertia, near the hilt of your blade, where their inertia will have the least effect on your blade. Of course, timing is key."
She walked closer to the creature as Quies moved away. She stared into the megalodaunt's beady black eyes and raised her broadsword into a ready stance.
"However, that timing window is even tighter with monsters like this big guy."
She walked even closer to the Megalodaunt and patted its stumpy feet.
"Which is why I'll be demonstrating! How lucky for you."