Chapter 143, Stunted Growth

While Lucas was struggling to overcome his own faults, Mitan returned to his house where he was alone. Mitan lost his parents during the attack and as such was all alone. He has no siblings and no other family in the village related by blood. However, the Chife adopted him after the attack and since he grew up with the other children, he was never lonely.

Mitan went into his workshop and began working. He had skilled fingers and he was one of the best craftsman in their village. While he began working some things, Theo was out training in the fields.

They were both trying to achieve something by returning to their roots. Meanwhile, Arata who was at his garden was greeted by Philia who had just finished talking to Lucas.

"It's been a while, Argent. Oops, it's Arata now." Philia smiled at him.

"Philia, there's something I'd like to ask you." Arata said and Philia sat down on the chair.

"Go ahead." She answered.

While the two talked, Lucas went to take the trial again. Louie, sighed but for some reason there was something different about Lucas. Louie smiled and they headed to the Falls again.

As Lucas took the trial, he recalls Philia's words during their conversation.

"The reason you keep failing is because of your reluctance to let the past go." Philia said. "Let what has happened become a memory, leave it in the past and let it serve as a lesson."

Lucas' greate weakness was the fact that he was held back by his mistakes. The mistakes he made during the night of the attack. As the waters now wash over him and the trails take place once more, Lucas finally found his resolve and the waters cleared away.

"Congratulations." Louie smiled. "Let's get you dried off."

While Lucas and Louie dried off, Arata sighed as Philia left him with more questions than answers. Theo, who was training in the fields was then visited by Philia.

"Lady Philia, can I help you?" Theo asked as he was tossing his tridents.

"I'm here to help you." She smiled. "Help you remove those chains that are keeping you from your true potential."

"My true potential?" Theo asked.

Philia smiled as Theo sat beside her and the two began to talk. Meanwhile, back on earth, Angelica, Rachel and Adele were talking with each other and decided that they want to grow stronger as well. This leads the trio to ask Monica and the Zodiacs to help them.

"Firstly, what is it that you girls want to accomplish?" Seiji asked.

"I want to be able to use spells more freely. Argent told me that as the Vassal Brave of the Staff I have power closer to mages rather than Braves." Rachel stated.

"For me, I want to be able to activate my spells faster. Argent told me that my Book specializes in storing and retrieving information." Adele said. "If I could store spells inside of it and activate it at will, I think I'd be better help on the battlefield."

"For me, I want to learn how to grow stronger. When I showed Argent my mirror, he said that unlike the others, my weapon's skill tree wasn't large." Ange said.

"Hmm... I get it. For Ange, you go train with Dustin and Alessia." Seiji answered. "Monica, Hatori, I leave Adele to you. As for Rachel, you're coming with me to train."

The trio went with each of their trainers who began training them. Back in the hidden village, Lucas has just recieved the scroll from Louie when his father returned from his mission.

"Father, welcome back." He bowed his head.

"Oh, Lucas, you're home." His father said and his eyes immediately fell on their family scroll. "Hmm..."

Louie nods and leaves the two to talk. His father sits down in front of Lucas and begins a long talk about how important it is for him to know that the family technique is very special and difficult to master.

Meanwhile, Mitan who was in his workshop was greeted by their Chief.

"Oh, Elder, how can I help you?" Mitan asked.

"I heard from Argent, you have gained a Brave Title. BBut here you are making weapons rather than training." The Chief sighed. "Michael, you're role now isn't the village craftsman but Argent's petal. You must train so you can prtect him."

"That's what I'm doing, Elder. To be able to create different variety of bombs, I need to first know what they look like and more." Mitan answered. "Unlike the others, Argent told me. That my power depends on how good my abolity to visualize a bomb is."

"Then work hard." His grandfather smiled.

Theo, who had just finished chatting with Philia headed back to town. The things Philia told him still fresh in his ears, his resolve even stronger after their conversation.

The next day, the four of them gathered in town. Lucas, who had learned the secret technique of their family had a trace of a smile playing on his lips. Mitan, who was up all night was still sleepy. Theo, had an unreadable expression after his conversation with Philia and Arata, decided to return home.

Back on Earth, the pthers were training seperately. When Adonis asks Monica how the girls faired, Monica stated that while they were indeed improving, something was holding the three girls back.

"Can I talk to Adele for a bit?" Adonis asked.

"Sure." Hatori said and Adonis took Adele by the hand and went to the rooftops.

"Why'd you bring me here? I still need to train." Adele said impatiently.

"I think it's time we had a quick chat." Adonis said and Adele, who saw the seriousness in Adonis's eyes sat down.

Meanwhile, Lia talked to Angelica and Rachel. She knew better than anyone what was the reason behind their still stunted growth. Each of the three had something that was holding them back, Adele's impatience and Rachel and Angelica's reliance on each other. They had to over come these walls and blundaries in order for them to grow stronger as Braves and as people.