Little Training.

"Ain't learning new things, dad. If not for the little things you've taught me, I wouldn't be able to wield mana at all. Maybe I wouldn't even be able to create flame on my palm".

..He didn't dare tell him that he was trying to blast the gate with flame and almost blasted a part of the fence with flame.

He didn't dare tell him that, maybe Ethan wouldn't even be too angry when he tells him that...but he doesn't want to take the risk.

"Yeah, it's normal, you shouldn't be too hard on yourself, this is how it is for everyone that gets to awaken a power element and hasn't learned to use them properly. I only gave you some little teachings, that isn't enough to make you average at making use of your power,

And though self-training helps a lot, it doesn't guarantee that you'll learn new things from it, but no matter what, it's very helpful. As you told me before, you're going to one of the academies specialized in training benders after your graduation from school, right?".