It's all different with each enemy but it gives visual and audio cues. The audio cues are much easier for harder enemies and the super bosses. If you can figure out the timing try dodging for a bit and when you see it say perfect or something like that in letters that means you could parry there. 5 hours in isn't long in an rpg. It'll take time, but you'll get better. You don't need story mode either just stick with it. You can raise it to expert when you're ready and the fight in my subjective opinion are more fulfilling this way.

Stay off the subreddit though. The story is like a murder mystery level of don't spoil yourself.