The Energy Flow Training

Chapter 27 – The Energy Flow Training

After my mother carried Iris away, I stayed back, confused about what had just happened.

She had put Iris through hell, and now… she was going to train her?

---

Summoned Again

A while later, when Iris woke up, my mother summoned us again to the balcony.

When we arrived, she gestured toward Iris.

"Sit in front of me."

Iris obeyed, still a bit nervous, but visibly more determined than before.

Then my mother turned to me.

"Edric, come here."

I hesitated for a second but walked forward, standing behind Iris.

Then my mother gave a new instruction:

"Place your hand on her back."

Huh?

I gave her a confused look, but she didn't explain.

With a small sigh, I placed my palm against Iris's back.

Then, without warning, my mother placed her hand on my back.

Her voice became calm but firm.

"Listen, children. Both of you, focus."

---

The Energy Flow Experiment

A moment later, I felt a surge of energy from my mother's palm.

It rushed into me, filling my entire body with warmth and power.

Before I could even process it, she gave another command.

"Edric, do as I did. Thrust your energy into Iris."

What?!

This felt way too weird, but I wasn't about to disobey my mother in the middle of a training session.

So, with focus, I pushed my energy into Iris.

And suddenly—

I could feel it.

I could feel the flow of mana in her body.

Like I was controlling it.

What the hell is this?

But just as I was trying to process this strange feeling, I sent a second wave of energy into her.

And then—

"Ahh~!"

Iris let out a soft, shaky moan.

My entire body froze.

What. The. Fuck.

Even Iris looked shocked, her face instantly turning red as she realized what had just happened.

Then my mother chuckled.

"Oh my, it seems like you enjoyed that a bit."

Iris's entire face burned with embarrassment.

"N-No, Lady Seraphina! I-It was just the sudden mana surge!"

I sighed, trying to ignore the awkwardness.

---

Deeper Into Training

After that… we continued.

I sent another wave of energy, guiding it through her mana circuits.

My mother gave another instruction.

"Now, Edric, direct the flow of energy toward her belly. Stabilize the mana in her core using your black energy."

My black energy?

I had been able to use it instinctively, but this was the first time I was actually trying to apply it carefully.

I focused.

Slowly, I tried to redirect her mana flow and merge it with my own black energy.

It was working… but then—

"Ahh~ It hurts!"

Iris moaned again.

I almost choked on air.

"Iris! Don't make those sounds again! It's embarrassing!" I snapped, my own face burning red now.

She glared at me.

"What do you want me to do?! It hurts!"

My mother sighed in amusement.

"Focus, both of you."

With her guidance, I continued.

And finally, after several minutes of effort, I successfully merged my black energy into Iris's mana core.

The moment it happened—

I felt it.

A deep understanding of mana settled into my mind.

It was like I could see the energy within her, how it moved, how it flowed.

And judging by Iris's reaction, she felt it too.

Her eyes widened, and suddenly—

She summoned flames into her hand.

Not wild. Not unstable.

Perfectly controlled.

For the first time, she could freely use her flames.

---

Aftermath

Iris turned to my mother, eyes shining with gratitude.

"Thank you, Lady Seraphina!"

She then turned to me—

And before leaving, she gave me a warm smile.

…Huh?

What was that for?

I scratched the back of my head.

"Whatever."

---

Meanwhile… in the Forest

Deep within a dark forest, far away from the Ainsworth mansion…

A mysterious figure walked slowly through the trees.

Its body was humanoid, but its skin was pale, its clothes tattered.

Blood dripped from its fingers as it tore into a fresh corpse, eating raw meat with hungry, monstrous delight.

Its glowing red eyes flickered, and it licked its lips.

"Delicious…"

And then, with slow, purposeful steps…

It continued moving forward.