Four hours after the start of training.

“Mueeeek.”

With a groan that was hard to judge whether it was cute or unladylike, Adelaide lost consciousness and went limp.

A perfect state of discharge where she could no longer stand up even with holy magic or the witch’s special potion.

While not exceptionally long by the standards of knights accustomed to daylong physical exertion, the time spent in brutal, near-real combat sparring against the indomitable Tin Knight was far from brief.

Moreover, today’s Tin Knight had dealt with Adelaide more roughly than usual, making it even more so.

“How curious,” Gale, who had been watching the training with interest from the side, said. “Some scholars say humans are rational animals, but in reality, people are neither that rational nor reasonable. Even if they know in their heads that it’s for their own good, they can’t help but hate someone who’s causing them pain. That’s why excellent instructors are often the most hated figures.”

Therefore, Gale turned a questioning gaze towards the Tin Knight and Adelaide, saying it was strange.

“Despite continuing such rough, violent, and difficult training, that young lady seems to have almost no resentment or hostility towards her teacher.”

There were many subtle aspects that made it hard to simply attribute it to a gentle personality.

If she were truly so gentle that she couldn’t even direct hostility towards others, she would inevitably hesitate to harm others in battle as well.

In that sense, while Adelaide tended to refrain from killing as much as possible, she wasn’t the type to hesitate when necessary.

“Does Dorothea know the reason?”

“What else could it be? It’s because it’s comfortable for her,” Dorothea frowned. “She was weak, so she couldn’t do anything. To achieve something, she needed to become stronger. That’s stuck in her head like an obsession. Conversely, as long as she’s making efforts to become stronger, she’s relatively at peace mentally.”

It was in a similar context that Adelaide would make a sad face at the Tin Knight’s brutal training every time, be happy when told to rest, but become restless if that time extended too long.

Of course, this wasn’t entirely bad.

Separate from Adelaide’s excellent talent, it was because of this aspect of hers that she could continue to endure the Tin Knight’s harsh training.

The problem was that the intensity was gradually increasing.

Even the seemingly heartless Tin Knight would recommend proper rest to the point where he even showed signs of finding some leeway, but this incident made it all for naught.

Not only did she learn shocking facts about her family’s death, but she was also blatantly told things like “your efforts were lacking” and “have you been playing around all this time” by someone related to it. It would be strange if her trauma wasn’t stimulated.

“Hmm, even so, isn’t that a bit too much? It’s barely manageable because of the Tin Knight’s techniques, Dorothea’s potions, Miss Sophia’s holy magic, and Adelaide’s own constitution, but normally, even a tenth of that would leave someone permanently disabled, wouldn’t it?”

“That’s why it’s meaningful. It needs to be to the point where even she thinks ‘Isn’t this a bit too much?’ so that she won’t push herself any further.”

Well, it seemed there might be other factors mixed in as to why Adelaide didn’t direct feelings of resentment towards the Tin Knight, but Dorothea didn’t bother mentioning that.

It was questionable whether the person herself was aware of it, and it was purely in the realm of speculation.

Watching the Tin Knight lay Adelaide on a pre-prepared magic circle, Dorothea let out a quiet sigh.

These companions are quite high-maintenance in various ways.

She thought.

***

Suddenly coming to her senses, Adelaide realized she was standing in a long corridor.

The moment of confusion with an “Eh?” was brief.

She soon became aware that this was the “world inside the book”.

Adelaide absent-mindedly moved various parts of her body.

Blinking her eyes. Clenching and unclenching her fist. Stretching her arms and legs. A few jumps in place.

My body’s condition is almost no different from the outside.

According to the explanation she had heard from the White Witch, it was similar to a kind of dream state, but for that, there was no dullness in movement or sensation, and her mind was very clear.

Above all, while 1 hour in reality was just 1 hour, 1 hour here was about 15 minutes in reality.

Simply in terms of time efficiency, it could be said that spending time dreaming in here was much more beneficial than fumbling around outside.

Of course, if she only slept continuously, her real body would weaken, so the skill to adjust appropriately was necessary.

While she was checking various things like her mana state and such, a voice suddenly came from thin air.

《Ahem. And so, the little lion who inherited the blood of heroes began her adventure.》

“…”

《Ah, if you’re thinking something like ‘What is this person doing?’ please reflect. The aesthetic form is important for these things. Even a temporary GM can’t be sloppy.》

Towards Adelaide, who was thinking that perhaps there were only eccentrics among witches—a thought that would make Dorothea bristle if she heard it—Gale’s voice continued.

《Additionally, this is just playing back pre-recorded voices, so active conversation is impossible. So if you have anything to say, please ask after waking up from the dream.》

《I explained the escape method before you entered, but there’s a possibility your memory might be hazy, so I’ll explain once more.》

《One is to say, ‘Wake up,’ three times in a row, the second is to open the door at the end of the corridor rather than the left or right, and the third is to just wait until the set time. Additionally, as a precaution for any contingencies, the third method will automatically wake you up even if you refuse, so please be aware.》

《If you have any more questions, please wake up now.》

After Adelaide remained silent for about 10 seconds, the voice from thin air was heard again.

《It seems there are no particular problems. Then, let’s resume the story.》

《First, we need to decide on a helper to accompany you on your journey.》

Three large orbs of light appeared before Adelaide’s eyes.

《The first is the ever-reliable teacher! The Tin Knight!》

《The second is the versatile witch! Dorothea… who’s busy, so the Tin Knight is sent instead!》

《The third is the wise advisor! Miss Sophia… replaced by the Tin Knight who insisted on doing it himself!》

《Now, your choice is!》

“I have a choice?”

Adelaide couldn’t help but point out reflexively, even knowing it wouldn’t be heard by the other party.

But the ways of the world were what one made of them.

Telling herself it was good to be able to choose without needlessly worrying about this and that, Adelaide chose the Tin Knight.

《Yes, I’ve confirmed your selection. It might take a little while due to time scale synchronization work, so please wait a moment.》

After about 1 minute in perceived time.

The orb of light Adelaide had chosen suddenly emitted a fierce light, then split in two with a crack, and something popped out from inside.

A body made of metal. The gleam of eyes shining through the helmet slit.

That was right, it was the Tin Knight.

“Sir Knight…?”

To be more precise, it was a Chibi Tin Knight.

A Tin Knight with a large head but short body and limbs, somehow reminiscent of a toy soldier, jumped up and down towards Adelaide, waving his hand.

Feeling her heart flutter for some reason, Adelaide hurriedly held out her palm towards the Tin Knight.

As the Tin Knight climbed onto Adelaide’s palm, she felt a light weight transmitted to her.

For a metal lump the size of a palm, it was strangely light.

It even felt as if the contents were completely empty.

《Additionally, due to the game book’s capability limitations, the Tin Knight can’t fight alongside you. As I said earlier, please think of him as just accompanying you in a helper or advisory role.》

[The ‘Tin Knight’ beats his chest, saying his advice is perfect!]

At that comical yet reassuring sight, a smile bloomed on Adelaide’s lips.

“Yes, I’m counting on you!”

《If you’re ready, please select one of the doors in the corridor to start the conquest.》

At Gale’s voice, Adelaide looked at the doors arranged at regular intervals on the corridor walls.

Room of the Labyrinth

Room of Struggle

Room of Memories

《The Room of the Labyrinth follows the original story of this game book. It’s the ‘original’ story, not the one where various magic books got mixed up and caused problems like you experienced last time. However, this has a strong playful nature, so the time efficiency might be somewhat poor.》

《The Room of Struggle is a place set up so you can fight the enemies that appear in the Room of the Labyrinth consecutively in an arena, ignoring the background setting. The enemies are set to gradually become stronger, so it’s probably the most convenient for training purposes.》

《The Room of Memories is for advanced users, so to speak. You can summon suitable opponents from the memories of the participant and helper to fight. However, this is like a hidden function left by the teacher, so even I don’t know exactly what will pop out, so please be careful.》

Adelaide fell into thought for a moment.

Given the purpose, the Room of the Labyrinth was set aside, leaving the Room of Struggle and the Room of Memories.

Adelaide thought the Room of Struggle would be the most moderate, but probably as expected.

[The ‘Tin Knight’ passionately argues that they should choose the Room of Memories!]

[The ‘Tin Knight’ claims he can’t resist a boss replay room!]

Well, of course Sir Knight would say that.

Adelaide thought about trying to dissuade him for a moment, but then just nodded obediently.

It felt like there was no small amount of personal interest involved, but it was trust in a teacher who had never led her in the wrong direction, at least regarding martial matters.

Adelaide opened the door labeled Room of Memories and stepped inside.

A scorching heat caressed her skin.

“Hahaha! Stay still, you bastards!!”

“Kill all those who resist! Don’t let a single one escape!”

Fallen torches caught fire in the undergrowth and blazed up.

Rampaging bandits. Screaming domain residents.

Soldiers tried to fight against the bandits somehow but were ultimately overwhelmed, and a carriage—with Adelaide herself inside—protected in the center of those soldiers

Clatter!

The bandit leader looked at her through the half-fallen door.

Looking at the man, who had captured her in the past and sold her as a slave, Adelaide realized what memory this stage was based on.

[The ‘Tin Knight’ cheers on his pupil, saying let’s show the bandit leader the true taste of a regression story!]

As always, the Tin Knight’s words were difficult to understand.

But because his will was clearly conveyed, Adelaide was able to steady her body that was trembling from old memories.

“…Yes!”

The little lion kicked off from the carriage and charged.

***

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