"Welcome, Victoria," the man said with a calm and steady voice. "I am Yemel, your trainer in the ways of the whip. I understand you have little experience with it?”

“Yes, that is correct. I came across my whip by accident and was drawn to it. Everything I know is self-taught.” She idly wondered if the old video game she used to play where the main character used a whip to fight Dracula had any impact on her choice of weapon.

Yemel rose gracefully from his seated position, the flowing movements of his body displaying a deep understanding of balance and fluidity. He approached Victoria, his eyes scanning her form, assessing her readiness for the training ahead. “I am pleased to instruct you. The pull of a weapon is not to be denied. Before we begin, I must stress the importance of discipline and control. The whip is a finesse weapon, requiring precision and technique rather than brute force. As you level, place twice as many points into dexterity and perception than you do in strength."

“Understood,” Victoria replied with a nod.

Yemel began Victoria's training with a calm and focused demeanor. As they stood in the center of the training ring, the atmosphere was pregnant with anticipation. Yemel’s tall, muscular frame exuded strength and grace, his movements fluid and precise. His eyes, a deep shade of amber, sparkled with wisdom and determination.

"Victoria," Yemel began, his voice resonating with authority, "a whip is not just a tool. It is an extension of your body, a dance of finesse and power. It demands respect and mastery. Are you ready to embark on this journey?"

Victoria’s gaze was fixed on Yemel as she absorbed his every word. “Yes,” she replied enthusiastically. She held the braided red leather whip in her hands, feeling its weight and potential. She recognized the weapon's significance and the responsibility of wielding it.

"Good," Yemel continued with a hint of satisfaction in his voice. "Let us start with the basics. The grip is crucial. You must hold the whip firmly but not too tightly, allowing it to flow through your hand with ease. Feel the connection between your body and the whip as if they are one."

As Yemel demonstrated the proper grip, Victoria mirrored his actions, adjusting her hold to match his instructions. She felt the supple texture of the leather against her skin, the faint vibrations of the weapon transmitting through her fingers.

"Now, the stance," Yemel instructed, adjusting his feet into a solid and balanced position. "Your feet should be shoulder-width apart, rooted to the ground. Bend your knees slightly, ready to move and strike with agility."

Victoria mirrored his stance, feeling the strength and stability it provided. She could sense the potential energy building within her, ready to be unleashed through the whip.

With each new concept, Yemel guided Victoria through the motions, providing precise instructions and gentle corrections. He emphasized the importance of fluidity and control, urging her to maintain a balance between strength and finesse.

"Remember, Victoria," Yemel reminded her, "the crack of the whip is not just about power but timing. It is a symphony of movement and sound. Feel the rhythm, the moment when your energy meets the whip's motion. That is when the crack will resonate through the air."

Victoria listened intently, absorbing minute details as Yemel cracked his whip with a resounding snap. She watched in awe as the whip cut through the air like a bolt of lightning, the sound echoing in the training hall.

"Watch closely," Yemel instructed, his eyes fixed on Victoria. "Observe the motion, the flow of energy. The key is to initiate the whip's movement from your wrist, not your arm. It requires finesse and a keen understanding of timing."

Victoria’s gaze was locked on Yemel's graceful movements.

"Now, it is your turn," Yemel said, his voice encouraging. "Focus your energy, visualize the crack in your mind, and release it through your motion."

Victoria took a deep breath, her eyes fixed on Yemel's whip as she prepared herself. With a swift motion, she unleashed her strike, the whip lashing out with a satisfying crack. The sound reverberated through the air, filling her with a sense of accomplishment.

“That was a good first try, but it should be more like this,” Yemel demonstrated, effortlessly twirling the whip in his hand, the leather strands forming a hypnotic dance in the air. His movements were precise, each crack of the whip echoing with power and precision.

She mimicked his actions, though her attempts lacked the fluidity and precision she desired. With each correction from Yemel, she adjusted her technique, gradually finding her rhythm and adapting to the unique properties of the whip. She was rewarded with a prompt, informing her that she had increased her whip skill by one level.

They continued this training for another hour until Yemel stopped her. “Good. You have the basics. Now, let’s discuss footwork.”

Yemel emphasized the importance of footwork, teaching her to position herself strategically in relation to her opponent. He guided Victoria through a series of dynamic footwork exercises, stressing the importance of balance, agility, and precision. They moved in synchronized motion, their steps fluid and purposeful. Yemel demonstrated how proper footwork could enhance her striking range, provide stability, and allow for quick evasive maneuvers.

"Footwork is the foundation of combat," Yemel explained, his voice echoing with authority. "It allows you to maintain your balance, swiftly change direction, and maximize the effectiveness of your strikes. Mastering footwork will give you a distinct advantage in battle."

Victoria absorbed Yemel's teachings, emulating his movements with grace and determination. She focused on maintaining a stable stance, shifting her weight effortlessly from one foot to the other, adapting to the ever-changing dynamics of combat. Notifications for skill increases came in, but Victoria paid them no attention as she focused on her work.

Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.

The hours passed quickly. Yemel gave instruction, then meditated as Victoria practiced, interrupting her occasionally with additional tips.

"Victoria," Yemel called out, his voice capturing her attention. "Now, let us incorporate a secondary weapon," Yemel continued. "The dagger or short sword will serve as your close-quarters companion, complementing the reach and control of your whip."

He demonstrated how to wield the dagger in the off-hand, showing Victoria the proper grip and the various offensive and defensive positions. Yemel emphasized the importance of coordination between the whip and the secondary weapon, illustrating how they could work in tandem to keep opponents off balance.

"Remember, Victoria," Yemel cautioned, his voice calm yet authoritative. "The blade is your tool for quick strikes, parries, and close-range engagements. It should seamlessly integrate with your whip, allowing you to adapt to different combat scenarios."

Victoria observed Yemel's movements attentively, internalizing the lessons of footwork and dual-wielding. With each step and strike, she felt her agility and confidence grow. She practiced the footwork techniques, combining them with the fluid motions of her whip and the swift strikes of her secondary weapon, earning her the skill dual wielding and several levels in daggers and short swords.

Under Yemel's watchful eye, Victoria honed her footwork and dual-wielding skills. They engaged in sparring sessions, their movements a captivating dance of precision and finesse. Yemel provided feedback, correcting her form and offering strategic insights to further enhance her abilities.

As the training progressed, Victoria's footwork became more instinctive, her movements flowing effortlessly. She seamlessly integrated her dagger or short sword into her off-hand, wielding it with precision and confidence. The coordination between her whip and the secondary weapon became second nature, amplifying her combat prowess.

In their dialog, Yemel provided guidance on footwork techniques, the art of dual-wielding, and the strategic applications of combining these skills. Victoria absorbed his wisdom, asking questions and seeking clarity to fully grasp the intricacies of the techniques.

They ended for the day, but Victoria continued to practice late into the evening. She spent time with her vampire progeny, who thoughtfully brought her a captive to sup on. Feeling invigorated, Victoria returned to her training until Yemel returned the next day.

“I admire your enthusiasm, but don’t think I’ll take it easy on you just because you didn’t sleep.”

“I can go for days at a time if I need to. I’d rather skip rest than forget the lessons you’ve taught me,” Victoria replied.

“As you wish. Show me your moves and I’ll judge whether the practice was worth it.”

Victoria launched into a mock battle sequence, demonstrating the footwork and moves Yemel had taught her. She knew there was much for her to learn, but Yemel’s guidance and her own practice had already advanced her whip skill to level seven, short swords to five, and dual wielding to four.

Yemel noticed Victoria's growing proficiency with the whip. “Very good,” he said, proceeding to point out the deficiencies in her form. Once he finished, he said, “I believe you are ready to delve into more advanced techniques.”

With a nod of approval, he introduced her to the art of using the whip to disable or choke opponents.

"Victoria," Yemel began, "now we will explore the intricacies of looping the whip around limbs to immobilize or restrain your foes. It requires precision and timing but can be a highly effective technique."

He demonstrated the looping technique, gracefully twirling the whip around his arm with practiced finesse. The whip spiraled through the air, coiling and looping around his limb, showcasing the control and dexterity required.

"Now, observe closely," Yemel said, his voice a soothing guide. "Watch the motion of the whip, how it flows and wraps around the target. It is crucial to precisely time your strike, catching your opponent off guard."

Victoria's eyes were fixed on Yemel's movements, absorbing every detail. She observed the controlled release of the whip, the calculated trajectory it took, and the way it entwined around his arm.

"Pay attention to your opponent's movements," Yemel instructed, his voice filled with wisdom. "Anticipate their actions, and when the opportunity presents itself, strike swiftly and decisively."

With determination, Victoria mimicked Yemel's actions, her whip cutting through the air as she practiced the looping technique. She focused on the motion, the timing, and the graceful execution, striving to achieve the same level of precision that Yemel had demonstrated.

As the training session progressed, Yemel offered guidance and corrections, honing Victoria's technique. He emphasized the importance of maintaining control over the whip's path and adjusting the tension to ensure a secure loop. Together, they explored variations of the technique, adapting it to different scenarios and targets.

"Remember, Victoria," Yemel reminded her, his voice filled with encouragement, "the loop is a tool of control. Use it judiciously, and never underestimate its potential. With practice, it will become second nature, allowing you to easily immobilize or subdue your adversaries."

Victoria internalized Yemel's teachings, dedicating herself to mastering the looping technique. She practiced tirelessly, refining her timing and improving her accuracy. With each successful loop, she gained a deeper understanding of the whip's capabilities and her own abilities as a whip wielder. The two of them sparred and Victoria suffered many wounds, both to her body and her pride. Thankfully, her vampiric healing solved the former issue.

Under Yemel's watchful eye, Victoria's skill flourished. She learned to use the technique strategically, disabling opponents without causing permanent harm. With each loop, she felt a surge of confidence, knowing that she possessed a powerful weapon in her hands—one that could immobilize, control, and dictate the course of a battle.

The next few days fell into a routine. She hunted during the evening with Lum, Jared, and Brig, then practiced with Yemel. Yemel brought in other weapon experts for her to spar against and she began merging her whip and dual wielding skills with her spells, conjuring blades or using telekinesis in the spars.

After her hunts, Victoria stored each of her victims in the large storage chest. Eventually, they would pass through the litch’s territory and she wished to present it with fresh corpses. She hoped to win the creature over as an ally, but she didn’t plan on returning until she could do so from a position of strength. In between training and hunting, she talked with Armos and explored the coven’s library before retiring to her coffin.

Late one night, she and Armos were talking in the library when she confessed, “I fear that I’m falling behind the other competitors. They are likely doing all they can to level up. I’ve been working hard training and studying, but what will I do if they all out-level me?”

“Don’t worry, Victoria,” Armos said in a soothing voice. “I’ll share a secret with you. In most cases, skill level counts for more than overall level. The only exception would be at major milestones, such as levels ten or twenty, when special skills and class upgrades are offered. What is your whip skill level?”

“Twelve,” Victoria replied.

“You should feel comfortable challenging someone several levels higher than you at such a skill level unless they appear as practiced as you are. Another advantage of focusing on skill levels is that you will gain more experience for defeating a higher-level opponent, so your leveling will be quicker than those with lower skill levels.”

“I see. That is reassuring. I will take the time I have here and practice under Yemel until my progress plateaus.”

“That is wise,” Armos replied. “Once you feel ready, seek out every increasing challenges to get to level ten.”

“Where would you suggest I seek these challenges?”

“Ask Prince Vincent. The coven has many enemies. He can point you to something suitable and likely reward you for the effort too.”