If you had to pick, battle or mage. Which would it be?
Easily Battle. The Mage skills I know are just to help me in battle.
Examples:
Conjuration: I use the stronger conjured Weapons as opposed to conjuring distractions
Destruction: I use weakness to (insert element here) but rarely cast actual fireballs
Restoration: I rarely cast heal wounds (I use the waiting) Use this for things like Fortify Fatigue
Alteration: My favorite I dont use it for much locks or water walking, but rather for things like Defend and the various elemental shields
Mystism: Dispel and detect life when hunting game.
Alchemy: Eternally useful in general for quick heals, buffs, and anything else you could want.
Illusion: Ya know.. I dont use this much at all. Just for better deals at stores (Charm)
So you see I have mage disciplines but they are all directed toward being a more effective warrior, rather than the way a traditional mage would use them.