Auns's eyes flickered open as the first rays of sunlight streamed through the tent. He stretched his limbs and glanced over at Lucius, who was still asleep on his makeshift bedroll.
After a quick morning routine, Auns gently shook Lucius's shoulder. "Wake up," he said. "It's time to begin your relic lesson."
Auns patiently explained to Lucius how to access his relic's inner power and guided him through the first steps of developing it.
However, Lucius struggled to feel even the faintest hint of his power, much less manipulate or utilize it.
"Don't worry," Auns reassured him. "It can take time to develop a connection with your relic. It doesn't come naturally to everyone."
After Auns reassures Lucius that it can take time to develop a connection with his relic.
Lucius tried his best to follow Auns's instructions, but no matter how hard he concentrated, he couldn't feel even a flicker of power within his relic.
Auns patiently guided him through the exercises, but Lucius's frustration grew with every failed attempt.
Seeing the frustration on Lucius's face, Auns decided to try a different approach. "It's okay, Lucius," he said.
"Don't be discouraged. It may just take some time for you to find your relic's inner power. Let's try something else."
Auns thought for a moment, then suggested another exercise. "Try closing your eyes and taking deep breaths. Focus on how the air fills your lungs, and let your mind clear of all distractions."
Auns's calm voice continued, "Now, imagine that your relic is a source of energy flowing through your body. It's like the life force within you. Feel that energy pulsing within you, and imagine it slowly growing stronger with each breath you take."
Auns watched as Lucius closed his eyes and attempted to follow the instructions. After a few moments, Lucius's brows furrowed in concentration, but there was still no sign of any power coming from his relic.
Hours passed, and Lucius continued to struggle. He had tried every technique and exercise Auns had suggested, but nothing had worked. Frustration crept into Lucius's thoughts. "Why can't I do it?" he muttered, his voice filled with frustration.
Auns, noticing Lucius's despair, took a moment to gather his thoughts. "I think you're trying too hard," he said finally.
"Perhaps we should take a break. Maybe some food and rest would help clear your mind."
Auns turned to the voice in his head, seeking guidance. "Why is Lucius having so much trouble connecting with his relic?"
The voice replied, "He may be trying too hard, as you've suggested. However, it's also possible that the nature of his relic makes it more difficult to access. Each person's connection to their relic is unique, and it may take patience and experimentation to find the best approach for him."
Auns relayed the voice's words to Lucius. "It seems you might be trying too hard, and it's possible your relic has unique challenges in connecting to it. We may have to try different approaches and experiment a bit more."
Lucius nodded, still looking discouraged. "But why is it so easy for you?" he asked, gesturing at Auns.
Auns thought for a moment, then posed a question to the voice. "Why is it so easy for me to connect with my relic?"
The voice replied, "As I shared before, the connection to a relic is unique for each individual. Your connection is strong and natural, likely shaped by your mindset and personality. For Lucius, it seems like his path may be a bit more challenging."
Auns understood Lucius's frustration but also knew that comparing themselves wasn't productive.
"Everyone's bond with their relic is different," he explained.
"Some connect more easily than others. Mine has always come to me quite naturally, but I know that not everyone is the same. Your struggle doesn't define your potential. We just need to keep trying and exploring different methods."
Auns was about to respond to Lucius when the voice in his head spoke up, teasingly.
"Naturally, huh?" the voice said with a hint of amusement.
Auns chuckled awkwardly, realizing the voice's playful tone. He knew the voice was trying to lighten the mood, but Auns couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed at the implication.
Lucius let out a sigh, his frustration slowly turning into resignation. He knew Auns was right, but it was hard not to feel a bit envious of Auns's natural connection to his relic.
"So, what do we try next?" he asked, a hint of defeat in his voice.
Auns noticed Lucius's dejected tone and decided to lift his spirits. "Don't worry, we'll figure this out. Now, let's take a break and enjoy our lunch. Once we've refueled our bodies, we can come back to it with renewed energy. The answer could be just around the corner."
Lucius nodded, appreciating Auns's effort to cheer him up. "Alright," he said. "I could use a break. My stomach is growling anyway."
As they sat down to have their lunch, Lucius couldn't help but reflect on Auns's words. He had to admit that a break and some food would probably do him good, but he still couldn't shake off the disappointment he felt about not being able to access his relic yet.
As they ate their lunch, the conversation between Lucius and Auns was muted. Lucius mostly picked at his food, his mind preoccupied with his struggles.
Auns noticed Lucius's silence. He tried to start a casual conversation a few times, but Lucius's responses were short and vague. The tension between them thickened, and the mood became increasingly uncomfortable.
Once they had finished eating, Auns decided to address the awkwardness directly. He cleared his throat and spoke up.
"Lucius, can we talk? " Auns asked, breaking the silence.
Lucius glanced up at Auns, startled out of his thoughts. "Sure," he replied, a hint of trepidation in his voice.
Auns took a moment to gather his thoughts before continuing. "I've noticed that you've been pretty quiet ever since we started our relic lesson. Is everything alright?"
Lucius fidgeted nervously, avoiding Auns's gaze. "I'm just... feeling a bit frustrated, I guess," he admitted.
Auns nodded sympathetically. "I understand. It's completely natural to feel frustrated when things don't come easily. But I want you to know that I believe in you, and that you will figure it out. It just might take some more time and patience."
Lucius sighed, his shoulders drooping. "But what if I never figure it out? What if my relic is just too hard to access?"
Auns placed a reassuring hand on Lucius's shoulder. "Don't say that. The voice has assured us that your relic's power is within you. We just need to find a way to access it. And I'm committed to helping you figure it out, no matter how long it takes."
Lucius let out a weary sigh, feeling slightly relieved at Auns's reassurance. "Thanks," he murmured.
"I just don't want to disappoint you, you know?"
Auns shook his head resolutely. "You won't disappoint me. You've shown determination and resilience in the face of challenges so far. This is just another hurdle to overcome. And we'll work through it together, I promise."
Auns stood up, stretching his limbs. "We should get back to work now that we've had our lunch. But remember, don't be too hard on yourself. I have faith in you, and I'm here to support you every step of the way."