The Second Pure White One

Despite everything, the attack didn't break through.

"Are you... some kind of monster?" I managed to wheeze out.

"Heh-heh. So close, yet so far."

I had successfully shattered every single one of her Shields, yet I still hadn't been able to lay a finger on her. Why? Because Coco had been coating her entire body in a defensive shroud of Water Magic.

It was a technique Teacher Milk used as well. To make matters worse, Coco was layering it right on top of her other defenses. If I had to describe it, it was like stacking multiple layers of Absolute Defense. And honestly, the Water Magic version was probably even more durable.

"Yep, too bad, so sad! Better luck next week—you kiddies still have a long, long way to go."

The way she said it with that slight, mischievous edge was just so... Coco.

I’m definitely not annoyed. Not even a little. Why would I be?

...Okay, maybe I’m a tiny bit annoyed.

No, focus. There was something more important.

"Actually... I’ve figured it out," I said.

"Oh?"

Before the match, Coco had asked if I wanted to know her weakness. I’d been surprised at the time, but now the pieces were falling into place.

"This is just a hunch, but..."

"What is it?"

"Is it... your heart?"

At my words, Coco’s lips curled into a smile.

"To think you’d figure it out to that extent. Was it thanks to Cynthia?"

"In part. I noticed it from your heartbeat."

Luna approached us, looking confused. "What do you mean?"

"Well, since you two showed me something so interesting, I suppose I can tell you," Coco said. "The truth is... I have a very weak constitution."

"Weak?" Luna tilted her head.

"I’ve had no physical stamina since the day I was born. My heart is quite frail, you see. I can’t even spend a full hour properly soaking up the sun outdoors. I usually keep my defenses deployed just to protect my body from ultraviolet rays. This style of mine is simply the result of my own survival instincts."

I noticed then that Coco was drenched in sweat. Even though she hadn't moved a single step from her original position, she must have been pushed to her physical limit. Mana capacity and physical stamina are two entirely different things. This match was clearly putting an immense burden on her body.

"Teacher Coco, is it really okay for someone in your condition to be acting as an examiner?"

"It’s for the sake of my promising students. Besides, Teacher Milk and the others know all about my situation. I’m sure they’d come running if I really needed help."

So that was why she never used a single bit of Attack Magic. She didn't want to waste her precious stamina on offensive moves. Or rather, she simply couldn't.

"I’m surely the weakest of all the teachers here. But, you know, there are things that only I can do. I’d be happy if I managed to convey that to you today. Besides, if there are people who can get a kick out of an old lady's underwear like mine, or kids like you two who are out here enjoying the peak of your youth... well, being a teacher isn't so bad, even if it is exhausting."

She laughed jokingly, casually dropping the "pure white" underwear topic back into the conversation.

I had no idea how to respond to that. All I knew was that Coco was a genuinely good person.

"I’m sorry," Luna said softly. "We had no idea, and we just suddenly attacked like that..."

"It’s fine, really! It was fun. I think I’ll take a break since I'm wiped out, but let me tell you one thing: I may be weak, but I’m not weak. Next time, make sure you come at me with everything you've got."

"Understood," I replied.

"Fufu. Well then, Luna-chan, Weiss-kun. The Infirmary is the best place for skipping class, so stop by once in a while to let your Mana rest."

One by one, the things I never knew from the Original Story were being revealed to me. No matter how much time passed, I couldn't get used to this feeling.

In the Great Demon Invasion, Coco must have pushed herself to the brink, consuming massive amounts of Mana and forcing herself to move around for the sake of the city.

The people living in this world really are...

"She’s such a wonderful person," Luna said, her eyes shining. "I’ve decided I really love Teacher Coco!"

"Yeah... I guess so."

I’d gained a lot of valuable information. With this, our chances of winning the actual exam had definitely gone up.

I happened to glance over at Luna, only to realize she was doing something absolutely outrageous.

"What... what are you doing?" I stammered, my voice hitting a high note.

She had hiked up her skirt and was intently checking her own lingerie.

"Mine was pink today..." she muttered with a determined nod. "Next time, I’m going with pure white!"

Please, for the love of God, do not update me on that kind of information!