My New Life in TBATE

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The carriage rolled to a stop and I could already feel 2 people running towards me, Lily and Ellie. I turned to face their approach and they paused as their faces took on various emotions before settling on gleeful. They had seen the little Nightmare Fox I was holding, though it had grown in this year that I kept it and trained it, it was still young. The fox seemed to be apprehensive as the 2 girls grew near and I rubbed its fur to calm it.

"Lilia, this is a nightmare fox, she's still young so take good care of her from now on." Lilia's eyes widened greatly as she took in the form of the fox and held it reverently when I placed it in her grasp. Ellie pouted slightly, and looked ok with envy at the cute and I just patted her head in consolation.

"Sorry Ellie, maybe Art will bring you back something." She didn't seem to pleased with having to wait another year, but her frown lessened as Lily let her pet her new fox. One other thing caught my attention though, Lilia was a light red core mage. She had awakened just a couple months after we began our journey in the Beast Glades, and throughout the past year she has been doing her best to further refine and purify it.

"I see you've kept up with your training. Light red core after one year is nothing to scoff at." She paused in her pettings of the fox and turned to me, handing the fox to Ellie.

"I'm still not as strong as you though, or even Art for that matter. I don't even know my elemental affinity and I'm a conjurer." She said in frustration as she looked at the ground, and I felt my face soften in sympathy. Looking at her core and I see an abundant amount of earth mana in there, I can only sigh at my sister.

"You're focusing too much on me and Arthur and not finding your own strengths. Go back to the basics of your training, and don't let strength cloud your thoughts. Reach out for the thing that is most compatible, that's most in tune with you." I place a hand on her shoulder as shes still just staring at the ground in frustration, and I let off a little chuckle.

"Don't laugh, this is serious!" She stomps on the ground and in accordance with her emotions pillars of earth rise from each side towards me. I grin as she looks at the pillars in disbelief, I tap each with a finger, causing them to crumble.

"Seems you've found your answer, Earth Conjurer Lilia Helstea." I said with a proud smile on my face and she just kept looking on in shock, from her hands to the ground before looking up at me with a bright smile.

"I did it! I used elemental mana!" She cheered for herself and I rubbed her head.

"Good job, sis. Let me know if you need any help with anything. I may not be an Earth mage, but I'll try to help where I can." She nodded her head rapidly at the proposition.

"Then help me right now, while it's still fresh!" I have to chuckle awkwardly as I rub the back of my neck.

"Well, I can't right now. I have to prepare for another journey." I had to hurry and finish as her face began to sadden.

"But. I won't be gone for long, just for a week or so." She seemed to be slightly more accepting of that, though she still had a sad expression on her face.

"Then when you get back you'll have to train me! It wouldn't do if I was seen as weak compared to you at the academy." I chuckle at that and get an elbow in the ribs.

"I'm serious!" I grin wryly at her as she puffs at me in annoyance.

"I think you'll be just fine. You're enrolling this year after all I imagine. I'm just going to be shadowing the current student council President. But don't worry I will help you, and no one will be able to say you're weak after that. For now just continue the self defense training Uncle Reynolds has been putting you through." She looked at me suspiciously at first, but just sighed in acceptance and nodded her head.