Chapter 54: Personal Training, Meow?

A Cunning Plan

“Miss L, tell Coco you can contact [Eternal Star]. Not only that, but [Eternal Star] is willing to train her personally.”

Miss L blinked, surprised. Was A-Xing so moved by her sister that she’d personally help her become a proper magical girl?

“You said you can’t just fire someone,” Xiao Xi said, narrowing her eyes. “But if she quits voluntarily, giving up being a magical girl, that shouldn’t be an issue, right?”

Suddenly, Xiao Xi realized something—Coco was a huge [Eternal Star] fan!

If her idol personally told her, “You’re not cut out for this. You lack the talent to be a magical girl,” wouldn’t that crush Coco’s spirit and make her quit?

Xiao Xi had it all planned out. She’d push Coco to train so hard she’d question her entire existence, then sigh and say she had no talent. There was no way Coco’s confidence could withstand that!

Seeing Xiao Xi’s villainous expression, Miss L spread her hands. “A-Xing, you’re really going all out to protect your sister. Have you considered what happens if she finds out you’re [Eternal Star]?”

“She won’t find out!” Xiao Xi said confidently. “I’ve hidden it from her for years. No way I’ll slip up now.”

‘Sorry, Coco,’ Xiao Xi thought, sighing inwardly. Though this method was underhanded, it was better than letting her stay in danger, right?

“Fine, I’ll pass on the message. Hope you don’t mess this up.”

A Sleepless Night

That night, Xiao Coco tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep, her excitement overwhelming.

She’d only asked Miss L on a whim, thinking that since [Eternal Star] was the strongest magical girl, she must have undergone grueling training.

But to her surprise, Miss L messaged her that afternoon, saying not only had she contacted [Eternal Star], but the latter was touched by her story and agreed to train her one-on-one.

Training with [Eternal Star]! The thought of meeting her idol tomorrow and being personally coached kept Coco wide awake.

However, Miss L mentioned [Eternal Star] had a condition: if Coco couldn’t endure the training, she’d have to resign from the Magical Girl Association and never be a magical girl again.

The explanation was that failing such basic training proved she lacked the talent and should switch careers early.

It felt a bit odd, but Coco figured [Eternal Star] was just strict. Surely her idol wasn’t deliberately trying to push her out, right?

Rolling over again, Coco, too excited to sleep, grabbed her phone from the nightstand and texted her sister.

“Sis, great news! I’m meeting my idol tomorrow~”

Expecting her sister to ask who, Coco planned to tease her a bit. But to her surprise, her sister replied instantly.

“Really? Nice. Have fun meeting her [yellow smiley emoji].”

Coco blinked. Why did her sister’s response feel… off?

Meanwhile, at her computer, Xiao Xi narrowed her eyes.

‘That brat’s all excited now? Let’s see if you’re still smiling tomorrow!’

An Early Morning Meeting

The next morning, Xiao Coco woke up early, arriving at the park where she was to meet [Eternal Star] half an hour ahead of schedule.

Xiao Xi’s days were packed. Mornings were for Association duties or writing at home, noon was for cooking for Ye Xinglan, afternoons were for her job, and evenings were sometimes for plotting stories.

Thus, training Coco was slotted for the morning, dubbed “morning exercise,” because Xiao Xi had no other free time.

As for choosing a park… Xiao Xi had considered using the Association’s training room, but that would draw too much attention. What if Mu Xingge barged in, demanding where she’d been for three years? Terrifying thought.

Xiao Xi wanted this training to stay secret. In her mind, Coco would give up soon enough anyway.

It took Coco a moment to find the meeting spot—a clearing deep in the park’s woods, perfect for privacy.

With twenty minutes to spare, Coco hesitated about warming up, unsure of what [Eternal Star]’s training would entail.

A Sudden Test

Suddenly, a breeze rustled through the trees, leaves falling. Before Coco could react, a sword was at her throat.

“Are today’s magical girls this careless?” a cold voice said from behind. “If I were an enemy, you’d be dead.”

So fast!

That was Coco’s only thought. Stunned, she watched the magical girl sheathe her sword and step forward—it was unmistakably [Eternal Star].

Unlike her [Morning Star] form, Xiao Xi now sported a neat high ponytail, wearing a fitted knight’s outfit with a long skirt, holding a sword made of starlight.

This was [Eternal Star]’s [Dawn Star] form, geared for close combat. Years ago, Xiao Xi had used this form to land a critical blow on the Blood Moon Witch, securing victory in their final battle.

Xiao Xi sized up Coco, her expression dripping with undisguised disappointment.

“This weak? Can just anyone be a magical girl these days?”

“You should start thinking about a career change.”

After her harsh critique, Xiao Xi stared coldly at Coco, watching her reaction.

Coco froze, her idol’s sudden belittling hitting hard. Feeling disheartened was unavoidable.

‘Am I really that untalented?’

No, wait. Training hadn’t even started, and her idol was already pressuring her. She couldn’t be trying to force her to quit… This must be a test, right?

Exactly! If she couldn’t handle a little verbal jab, how could she become a proper magical girl?

With that realization, Coco’s dejection vanished. She stood tall, her gaze firm as she faced Xiao Xi.

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

Xiao Xi blinked, caught off guard. This wasn’t the reaction she’d expected. She thought Coco would crumble on the spot.