[Author's Note: It's lame, I know. My naming sense is so shit.]

"T-this is..."

Asura's hands were trembling. His heart, hammering at his soul. Even in the dimly lit room, Asura could vividly see the contents of the scroll.

"White Serenity Sword Style!"

Even though the disciples could learn high level sword techniques at the White Serenity School, they were nothing compared to the sword techniques that were taught to School Leaders and Future School Leaders. It was one of the training manuals that the goddess Mazu had given to the Founder of White Serenity School! It was also with these techniques that Shane utilized to massacre his enemies, in his quest for vengeance, thus earning him his nickname 'Blood Devil Shane'.

Drawn on the scroll were various sword stances and instructions that indicated the flow of mana that the user had to utilize before performing a sword movement. Even though Warriors have a comparatively low amount of mana, this style did not actually require a large amount of mana, and was extremely compatible with warriors. It was literally a God Technique.

"Finally, just the thing I need!" Asura grinned. So far, all he had learned was the 'Elemental Synergy', 'Mana Sense' and 'Thousand Essences Absorption'. After his fight with Khara, Asura had realized that his proficiency in sword techniques was still inadequate. During a fight, if he had run out of mana and Demon Force, he would have to rely on his physical strength and sword techniques.

Looking through the various sword techniques, Asura's heart was surging with the desire to start practicing, and was about to get off his bed when Choronzon's low voice stopped Asura in his tracks.

"Master, you don't actually have to go out to train. There might be a way to practice with a sword without wielding one."

Practice the sword without wielding the sword? Choronzon's words had piqued Asura's interest.

"You had my curiosity... But now you have my attention."

"Master, from what I understand, the 'Thousand Essences Absorption' is able to cultivate mana by utilizing the 'Origin of Life'. However, the Demon Force is able to create tangible objects. This is just my theory, but there might be a way to combine the two, allowing you to train both your sword techniques and using mana while not having to wield one in reality."

"Go on, tell me more about it."

"First, you must use the 'Thousand Essences Absorption' skill. Once you do so, I will speak in your mind."

Asura quickly got into the meditative position, performing the breathing pattern that was instructed in the 'Thousand Essences Absorption' scroll. In a few seconds, he had already slipped into the pure white world - the 'Origin of Life'.

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"Now, you must try to reach out to the Demon Force with your mind, and absorb a part of the Demon Force into the 'Origin of Life'. However, I've never done this before, as Demons do not have the power to absorb mana. And never have I ever seen a human with a Demon Force. There may be side effects, though I hope not."

"Really, Choronzon? You're only telling me this now? Well, whatever. I'm already here anyways."

Reaching for the Demon Force with his mind, Asura gave it a light tug, pulling out a tiny cloud of black gases.

Here goes nothing.

The tiny cloud of black gas slowly inched towards the 'Origin of Life', and in a few seconds, Asura could feel the walls around the 'Origin of Life' resisting the cloud of black gas.

C'mon, harder...deeper...

Finally, he could feel the cloud of black gas penetrating through the walls of the 'Origin of Life'. In an instant, the black cloud dissipated into the pure white world, instantly turning it into a world of grey. In the surrounding space, Asura could see distortions swirling about.

"W-what the? Choronzon, what's going on?"

"Master, the distortions are actually the flow of your mana. Worry not."

Is this going to be permanent?

Asura couldn't help but feel unease upon seeing the grey world, where it was neither black nor white. Focusing his consciousness into the grey world, Asura could sense the Demon Force was scattered around the grey world.

Come to my arms.

At once, the dissipated Demon Force gathered together into a black sword, the 'Demon's Avatar: Blade of Shadow Flame'. At the same time, the grey world returned into the pure white world, putting Asura's heart at ease.

Whew, that scared the shit out of me.

"Now, time to practice the White Serenity Sword Style. Let's see, what were the instructions... Wait, where's the scroll?"

Oh, for fuck's sake.

[Author's Note: Couldn't write much today, got off super late at college, mah bad. Super tired too. TGIF! Multiple releases incoming tomorrow, and on Sunday, boys!]

P.S. Actually wanted to make the scroll an erotic literature thingy. And then Asura would go, "what the hell, Shane?" But I also wanted to maintain the 'dark' atmosphere, so I made do with an innuendo. Hope you guys enjoyed it.

Chapter 37: Victims