The days turned into a week, and Nathan's tutoring continued with little to no progress. Lily's frustration grew as each session resulted in more failures and negative interactions between the two of them. She couldn't help but feel that Nathan's patience was wearing thin.
One day, after yet another unsuccessful attempt to awaken her spark, Nathan's exasperation bubbled over. "Honestly, Lily, I don't know what else to try," he said, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "We've gone over the theory, we've practiced the techniques. What am I missing?"
Lily stared at the ground, swallowing the lump in her throat. "I—I don't know," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Despite her struggles with Nathan, Lily found solace in her other classes at Elara Academy. She eagerly attended lectures on magical theory, absorbed in the rich history and intricacies of the magical world. The knowledge she gained from these classes helped her feel connected to magic, even if she couldn't access her spark.
As she sat in her history class one afternoon, Lily felt a sense of camaraderie with her fellow students. They were all learning together, trying to unlock the mysteries of magic. She thought about her conversation with Ivy, who had encouraged her not to give up. "Everyone learns at their own pace," Ivy had said. Lily clung to those words, determined to prove herself.
As the weeks wore on, Lily continued to work with Nathan, but their sessions remained fraught with tension. Nathan's usually cool demeanor had started to crack, and Lily could sense his mounting frustration. One day, after yet another failed attempt, Nathan slammed his fist onto the table, startling Lily. The sound reverberated through the room, sending a shiver down her spine.
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"This is getting us nowhere!" he snapped, glaring at her with eyes that held a storm of emotions. "We've been at this for weeks, and there's still no sign of your spark. What's the point?"
Lily's eyes filled with tears, but she refused to let them fall. "I'm trying," she said, her voice cracking. "I'm doing everything you've told me to do. I just—I don't understand why it's not working."
Nathan sighed heavily, running a hand through his dark hair. As he did so, his locks fell in an enticing way across his forehead, and despite the tense situation, Lily couldn't help but notice how the gesture accentuated his attractiveness. It was a small, fleeting thought in the midst of their difficulties.
"I don't know, either," he admitted, his anger dissipating as quickly as it had come. "But we can't keep doing the same things over and over, expecting different results. We need a new approach."
Lily nodded, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. "I'm willing to try anything," she said, her voice full of determination and a hint of desperation.
As they left the classroom that day, Lily couldn't help but feel a mixture of fear and hope. She had no idea what this new approach would entail, but she was desperate for a breakthrough. The academy's halls seemed to echo with her quiet resolve, and as they walked through the archways, she couldn't help but steal glances at Nathan, wondering if his stern exterior hid a wellspring of untapped knowledge.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the academy grounds in a soft, golden light, Lily vowed to herself that she would do whatever it took to awaken her spark. She had come too far, sacrificed too much, to give up now. With Nathan as her reluctant guide, she was determined to unlock the secrets that had remained hidden to her for so long.