Chapter 55: Not Satisfied, Meow?

Testing the Basics

“Senior, don’t worry. I won’t give up. No matter how tough it gets, I’ll push through!”

Seeing Xiao Coco unshaken, Xiao Xi shook her head. Before starting training, she asked some basic questions.

For instance, when did Coco awaken as a magical girl? When did she pass the Association’s tests? What was her magic level? This was Xiao Xi’s chance, under the guise of [Eternal Star], to learn things “big sister” couldn’t ask.

So, Coco had been planning this since high school? Xiao Xi hadn’t realized she’d been kept in the dark so long!

‘That brat!’ she thought. ‘No trust between family? It’s just a magical girl identity, and she hid it for so long. As her sister, I’m heartbroken!’

Then again, if Xiao Xi were hiding something big from Coco… Oh, wait, she already was. Never mind.

During the questioning, Coco unconsciously straightened her back, feeling uneasy.

She hadn’t upset her senior, had she?

Why did her senior look so dissatisfied and sigh after every question?

It was worse than a wise old doctor shaking their head silently while taking her pulse, saying nothing!

Coco started to doubt herself. Was she really that bad? Her senior seemed so unhappy. Yet, the Association staff had praised her potential during her tests.

No… watching Xiao Xi’s disapproving expression, Coco had an epiphany. Her senior must be testing her mental resilience!

After all, fighting monsters required not just strength but a strong psyche to handle unpredictable battles. So, the training had started the moment they met? As expected of her senior!

Meanwhile, Xiao Xi, secretly observing Coco’s reactions, was puzzled. ‘Since when did my sister have masochistic tendencies?’

She’d hoped her disapproving attitude would pressure Coco, but instead, Coco’s eyes sparkled with even more admiration. Was this girl okay?

Well, expecting a few words to make her quit was too hasty.

No matter… A sharp glint flashed in Xiao Xi’s eyes. She had countless ways to make Coco doubt herself.

A Brutal Sparring Session

“Let’s test your combat skills,” Xiao Xi said, tossing Coco a wooden training sword. “I’ll suppress my strength to D-rank to fight you.”

In truth, it wasn’t D-rank. Xiao Xi could control her magical aura to seem D-rank while unleashing far greater power to overwhelm Coco.

“The D-rank magical girls I’ve trained could last at least ten moves against me. Don’t disappoint me.”

Pure nonsense. Xiao Xi had never trained anyone before. Ten moves? She didn’t plan to let Coco last five.

Coco’s eyes grew serious. “Senior, here I come!”

…

Half an hour later, Xiao Xi shook her head, her face full of disapproval as she looked at Coco, sprawled on the ground for the umpteenth time.

“No good. Your skills are terrible. You can’t even handle three or four moves. Are you really an Association-approved magical girl?”

Coco lay staring at the sky, replaying the sparring session.

Too strong. Utterly overwhelming… As expected of [Eternal Star]! Though unharmed, her muscles ached, and her hands were numb from the impact.

Her senior’s magical aura matched her own D-rank, yet Coco couldn’t block a single strike. That shouldn’t be possible!

“My experience and technique are better, sure, but my strength is D-rank like yours. You can’t even last five moves against an equal opponent?”

“You’re the worst magical girl I’ve ever trained!”

Xiao Xi’s tone was icy, her words merciless. In reality, she’d been fighting at C-rank strength. Coco lasting even a moment was a miracle.

Lying there, Coco did start to doubt herself. Her senior said others lasted ten moves, and a revered figure like [Eternal Star] wouldn’t lie.

Was her talent really that poor? Was she unfit to be a magical girl?

Not only was Coco disheartened, but she also found her senior’s attitude… odd.

She’d seen [Eternal Star]’s interviews. The strongest magical girl was always calm and approachable. Even their brief encounter on South Street hadn’t felt intimidating.

Perhaps her senior was just stricter during training. That was better—Coco wanted tough standards!

A spark of defiance ignited. Struggling to her feet, she assumed a fighting stance again.

“Senior, let’s go again!”

Pushing the Limits

Xiao Xi blinked, surprised. This was her first time seeing how stubborn her sister could be. She’d hoped Coco would back off after some hardship.

Clearly, she needed to up the intensity.

Another half hour passed. Coco couldn’t maintain her transformation anymore, lying sprawled on the ground, gasping for breath.

“You didn’t last ten moves even once today. You’re not cut out for this. I suggest you find another job before you lose your life.”

Despite her words, Xiao Xi glanced at her wooden sword, inwardly shocked.

She’d gone harder, attacking at C+-rank strength, yet Coco had managed to block seven moves at her peak?

A fresh D-rank magical girl holding out for seven moves against a C+-rank opponent? Coco was far more talented than Xiao Xi had thought.

Still, she didn’t let up. “You can’t fight anymore. We’re done for today.”

She waved dismissively, turning to leave, but Coco’s halting voice stopped her.

“Senior, tomorrow… same time and place?”

“And, um, can we spar one more time? I want to record it on my phone to study later.”

Xiao Xi froze.

She’d thought today’s ordeal would at least make Coco doubt herself. Instead, the girl was so diligent it was becoming a flaw!

‘F*ck,’ she thought. ‘Who knew my sister’s hard work could be such a problem!’