Rebirth of the Phoenix_

Setting the meat down, Sera moved and sat beside Luis, her tone warm as she ruffled his hair. "Luis, I usually don't say this because I don't want people to think they slack off because they get too proud of their abilities."

Luis blinked in confusion.

"You know I have trained your mother, Maria, and Rico, and I have seen a lot of people grow stronger. But you're special, Luis not because of the Phoenix essence but because of how resilient you are. No one in the village forced you to do anything. You could have used their kindness for granted, made the clan members bring you subdued creatures so you could just focus on raising your aura cores. But you haven't done that. You work hard for everything you get. There are times when I think you should ask other people for help instead of only wanting to rely on yourself and proving yourself."

"You haven't given up when your blessings were too difficult to control. Even when it was annoying and frustrating, you kept going. It takes strength, you know, Luis, to keep going like that. And you know what you just told me? It shows how mature you are. You can understand emotions better than most people older than you."

"Also, don't think I have not noticed how much you train alone. Even after a long day of training with me, when I go and tell you to rest, you stay up practicing by yourself. Luis, I have seen you push yourself harder than anyone I have trained. You should be proud of yourself and how strong you are. Luis, you may not think so because of the high expectations that you have, but you are very strong for your age."

Luis stared at her in surprise. "So you knew whenever I sneaked off to train more?"

Sera smirked. "Of course. Did you think you were sneaky enough?"

Luis rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly, but Sera kept going.

"Your resilience and compassion are your greatest strengths. You try to do everything yourself and never want to rely on another person too much. Most people, when they get their blessings, don't focus much on the creatures they just care about the new power they got."

"You never give up if you're doing something challenging. Luis, you don't know how rare that is. There're so many people who wouldn't study for a test that could change their life or train more, thinking that they have already worked hard enough and that they deserve rest. Luis, you always push yourself even when no one asks you."

Gazing down and giving Luis a warm smile, she said, "And Luis, whenever I see you grow strong and accomplish something, it makes me proud. I don't have any doubts about you, Luis. I know you will reach all your goals."

Luis darted wide-eyed at her until a grin slowly spread across his face. "Aunt Sera, can I tell Mom, Rico, and Maria that you actually complimented me?"

Sera snorted. "No, Luis, you can't tell them."

"But it's not fair if you do that," he said, sitting straighter. "Maria and Rico always look sad when you don't compliment them after they train hard and accomplish something. I won't tell anyone if you start complimenting them too pinky promise?"

Sera raised an eyebrow while crossing her arms. "Fine, Luis, pinky promise."

Luis beamed in surprise, while hooking his pinky finger around hers. "I can't believe I got you to agree to that. It was way too easy."

"Oh really, Luis?" Sera smirked. "Well, I can't just let you get away with that then, can I?"

Before Luis could react, she lunged at him, her fingers darting to Luis's sides. She tickled him mercilessly until he was laughing so hard that he couldn't breathe.

The sound of laughter echoed under the canopy in the quiet forest. Sera felt a sense of pride as she watched Luis because she truly meant every word she said to him.