If Zalan was previously Icarus, that means he probably created or owned this sword art. Zalan didn't think he would create anything crappy—or at least he hoped so. Since Zalan understood that Icarus was a figure respected by the most powerful Chasm-Born he has ever seen, the sword art should be nothing to scoff at. It could even potentially be among the best there is.
But temporarily leaving his thoughts aside, Zalan walked over to the wall opposite to the crates and picked out a weapon. Although they were huge and meant for Alex, there were throwing knives laying around which were the perfect length for a sword in Zalan's arms. Zalan picked out one with a black blade and wooden handle before turning back to stand in the center of the room.
'I should get Alex to make me a wooden sword or something similar' Zalan thought giving the small knife in his hand a couple of seconds of attention before turning back to the interface.
'The other abilities were described to me through thought. I wonder if I can do the same with the swordsmanship'
Since Zalan already received some information regarding what the sword art was about and the vague idea of previously wielding the sword in this manner was returning to his body, Zalan had a general idea about what to expect. But still, Zalan wanted to make sure he was doing it correctly.
Part of it came from Zalan's experience with swords from his previous life. Although he didn't know a specific sword art, the various fights and conflicts he has gotten into roaming the streets had taught him how to effectively use a sword in each situation. Now, all he was getting was a more refined method of utilizing the sword.
'I wonder if there are any visual demonstrations or guides to show me' Zalan proceeded to wonder with the interface right in front of him.
After a second or so, the interface shimmered and seemingly understood Zalan's thoughts. Soon enough, Zalan found himself transported back inside his consciousness space standing within the garden again. But this time, the scenery shifted as if he had moved to another region.
Although the trees and sun stayed the same above head, the garden surrounding him had turned into a rectangular training area with smooth grey stones making up the ground. Weapon racks lined the sides with a multitude of child-size weapons, and a fountain was present on the opposite side spitting out water. Although Zalan didn't notice it at first, the area was raised up like a plateau with sheer drops to the grassland below on all four sides. Essentially forming a large pillar from the ground up.
'Just what else is in my consciousness space?' Zalan thought. Although he was somewhat expecting an answer from the interface again, no mental sensation rang through his head this time around.
'Guess I'll have to find out myself' he concluded with a sigh.
Suddenly a man that resembled a much older version of Zalan appeared on the opposite side of the training space. His well structured facial features leaned towards the skinner side, and his body was covered with a blue robe that draped over his shoulders like a large blanket covering his toned body. The aura he was excluding was nothing to scoff at. Although Zalan couldn't feel it, the stone tiles on the ground around him cracked and started to disintegrate after the man raised his sword and took a step forward.
'Is that Icarus? And why can people just come into my consciousness space at any time?' Zalan wondered in annoyance. A part of him expected the interface to keep responding to his queries, but it seems like it would only do so for whatever information appeared from using soul-sight.
Speaking of which, Zalan decided used soul-sight against the man. But, this time he was met with resistance. From the previous time he tried it on Alex, Zalan felt he could see right through. However, this time Zalan felt his mental waves bounce of an invisible barrier surrounding the man's body.
A tinge of pain ran through Zalan's head like he had been zapped temporarily, but Zalan didn't seem to notice it when the man in the distance suddenly snapped his head towards Zalan. His piercing blue eyes seemed to also possess soul-sight and sent chills down Zalans back from the ferocious gaze. Zalan felt the mental waves colliding with his mind and body but just when the waves were about to pierce through his head, the fourth-wall ability activated and deflected the waves like what the man had done to Zalan moments ago.
'What happened? Did I piss him off by using soul-sight on him?' Zalan thought, and took a few steps back upon seeing the irritated expression he was making.
However, after his mental waves got deflected, Zalan's shock was mirrored by the man in the distance who stopped his act and raised his eyebrows back at Zalan. Zalan didn't notice it then but the man had his hair tied up behind him revealing the tattoo of 2 horns on his neck. The horns subtly glimmered and returned to normal.
Just when the duo stared at each other enough for the moment to become awkward, the man titled his head forward again and pulled out his sword.
Stepping forward two steps, he began the display of what Zalan thought was Icarus's swordsmanship. Unsheathing his long black sword, he raised it up and….stood there.
'What's happ—'
But before Zalan could finish the thought, several black streaks shot across the sky into the distance in an arc before dissipating into the air around it.
'Crazy! How can he swing it that fast?' Zalan thought in awe. He didn't even see the man move his arm, let alone the sword, yet various cuts already flashed through the sky.
'Will I be able to do this too?'
All excited, Zalan looked into the distance where the slashes were headed before turning back to witness the motions that the man was now doing. The man swiftly swung the sword, slower, in various patterns. All of it seemed like a blur to Zalan who only saw the blade fluctuate in the air. But Zalan did notice the beauty of the sword art that seemed like the blade bended in the air to be able to strike at any spot on the enemy, or simply kill them before they had the chance to do anything.
As the man was swinging continuously, he suddenly stopped when Zalan spoke out.
"Hello Mister, can you teach me how to use the sword like that?" Zalan asked with excitement reflected in his eyes while moving closer now. Despite the show of power the man displayed, Zalan felt that the man wouldn't harm him.
The man turned to face Zalan with the tattoo on his neck shimmering again before he nodded his head and promptly did the sword motions slow enough so that Zalan could see it clearly. Finally Zalan took in the patterns of the sword swings.
Eager to try it out, he picked one of the swords from the rack on the side and began to follow the mans motions.
The duo swung in silence. As Zalan familiarize himself with the swings, and the man would promptly stop and various instances to guide him. Although he seemed unable to speak, Zalan had an intuitive understanding of what the man was trying to express through sensing the mental waves he was releasing. As if their emotions were connected and wisdom was being transmitted directly to Zalan.
After what seemed like a long time, eventually Zalan got the basics down and could swing similarly to how the man was swinging. When the man noticed this, he turned to face Zalan again. Zalan stood there trying to sense what the man was implying but was startled when the man started speaking.
"Zalan" he began.
"You can speak?!" Zalan blurted out in shock.
But before Zalan could continue asking his questions, the man shut Zalan's question down and continued:
"I see you chose this name for this life and so I shall refer to you with it. This is only the first motion of the sword art. In total there are 5 different motions that you will eventually come to know. But I cannot teach you the fourth and fifth ones because they require you to ——- ——- ——".
Upon noticing Zalan's blank start at the last bits, the man paused before shaking his head.
"It appears I cannot even mention it to you right now" he said solemnly.
"This is all the time we have together now. Comeback when you are ready to learn the second motion. You will be ready when you master the first".
As soon as the man finished speaking, he disappeared into a flurry of white particles. Leaving the confused Zalan standing there with a load of unanswered questions floating around his mind. But Zalan still voiced them out anyways.
"Why didn't you talk during the teaching? How powerful is this sword art if this is only the first motion? Why can't you teach me the fourth and fifth?"
Zalan hoped that the man will suddenly reappear and answer him, but was only met with silence. Zalan could only sigh before closing and reopening his eyes to be met with the black ceiling again.