The Mob Noble Who Got Reincarnated in a World Where Men Are Naturally Protected—So I Trained Like Crazy to Protect Girls Instead, But Their Love Got Way Too Heavy - Chapter 13: Narcis’s Jealousy

Act 02: Grappling Hook and Rock Armor

Chapter 13: Narcis’s Jealousy

A few days after my injury in the Orc Forest, once the school nurse finally gave me permission, I stepped back into the classroom—

And instantly, every pair of eyes turned and pinned me in place.

“Uh… g-good morning, everyone…?”

“““…G-Good morning…”””

I blurted out a greeting on reflex, and after a short, awkward pause, the whole class answered back—hesitant, uneasy.

Then the whispering started. A low murmur spread, everyone talking at once with uncertain faces.

“Wait, a boy actually greeted us first…?” “Aren’t boys usually like Narcis, all arrogant?” “Garland seems kinda nice… right?”

They were speaking too softly and overlapping too much for me to catch everything.

But judging by the mood, my reputation wasn’t exactly glowing.

Well, yeah… a boy who gets injured on the first day and then skips class for several days? Not surprising if they branded me as some kind of delinquent.

…Huh?

But wait—if I flip this around and think in terms of the whole “gender role reversal” thing… wouldn’t that basically make me like a delinquent girl boss?

And just then, a familiar figure dashed up to me.

“Tect, long time no see! Good morning!”

“Oh—morning, Wiz. We literally just saw each other yesterday, though.”

“I know! But still, I’m just so happy you finally got permission to come back to school!”

Wiz shone with a radiant smile—the very picture of a refined, classic beauty.

She looked so neat and proper that it honestly messed with my head to remember she also had hardcore nerd tendencies.

After she carried me to the infirmary when I got injured, I wasn’t allowed back to class—or even out of the infirmary—for days.

Basically, it was “temporary hospitalization.”

By the time I first woke up there, the wound had already closed so much I could barely feel it anymore, but still, the nurse insisted I stay put just to be safe.

During that time, Wiz stopped by almost every day. Thanks to her, I never got too bored—and honestly, that saved me.

In the end, they found nothing wrong. But just to be sure, they forced me to take a few days off before finally letting me return today.

“Man, it feels good to finally be back. No matter how many times I told the nurse I was fine, she just wouldn’t let me come to class.”

“Of course not! When you’re injured, you need to rest. You’re a boy, Tect!”

“Come on, if a guy gets a scratch, you just spit on it and call it a day.”

“Absolutely not! That’s forbidden!”

I get the whole “role reversal” thing, but this world takes overprotective to an extreme.

That kind of wound? Back home, I would’ve just slept it off and been fine.

“Well, anyway, enough about that.”

I grinned, then pulled a map of the area out of my bag.

“Wiz, about our next adventure spot… I was thinking of making a grappling hook. The materials should be right around here.”

“Tect.”

“Hm? What is it?”

As I pointed at the map spread across the desk, Wiz gently placed her small, delicate hand over mine.

Her expression was calm. Almost too calm.

I tilted my head, trying to figure out what she was feeling—when she spoke.

“We’re both banned from leaving school grounds. For one whole week, we can’t go anywhere.”

“…Whaaaat!?”

My jaw dropped.

“N-N-No way, that’s… that’s brutal…”

The shock hit my legs harder than that stone axe from the intelligent orc, and I collapsed back into my chair.

With a serious look, Wiz added,

“I knew you’d be disappointed. But honestly, it’s a fair punishment. First-years aren’t supposed to be fighting in dangerous zones outside the academy yet.”

“Nooo…! My dream weapon…! The grappling hook…!”

“Even after finishing the pile bunker, you’re still eager to make new weapons. I almost admire that motivation.”

When she asked what it was supposed to be, I explained:

A weapon that shoots out a wire, hooks onto something, then yanks you around so you can swing and fly anywhere.

Wiz’s eyes lit up with pure sparkle.

“Let’s definitely make it, Tect! How far along are you?”

“Not at all. I still need to set up a forge just to build the base. The core material apparently comes from golems at some ruined castle outside school grounds.”

“G-Golems…!? Even for girls, those are deadly opponents unless you’re really strong…”

“Exactly! Just imagine slamming the pile bunker into a golem! That’d feel insanely satisfying!”

“…Tect, you’re basically a battle junkie, aren’t you?”

“Facing tough enemies is a man’s honor.”

“That’s a woman’s honor.”

Wiz shook her head, absolutely serious.

Yeah, no good. Any time I talked about “manly dreams,” in this world it just sounded like nonsense. Tragic, really.

And then—someone called out to us.

“Hello, you two. Looks like you’re having fun. Mind if I join the conversation?”

“Hm?”

“Eh?”

We turned—and there he was. Narcis, standing tall, with a line of uneasy-looking girls trailing behind him like an entourage.

“… ”

“… ”

Wiz and I exchanged equally baffled looks.

Narcis. At this noble academy, he was basically the textbook example of a boy.

Meaning: a spoiled brat who treated every girl around him as nothing more than a servant.

So I responded the only way that felt right.

“Nope.”

“I wasn’t asking you, Garland of the knight family.”

“…Hah?”

“I was speaking to you, Miss Delphia. I’d very much like to talk with you.”

Narcis completely ignored my glare and flashed Wiz a sweet, practiced smile.

That alone made me tense up.

Sure, Wiz and I had grown pretty close over the past few days—but let’s be real. I was from a knight family. For Wiz, who had her sights set on at least a count’s household or higher, I shouldn’t even be on her radar.

Narcis, meanwhile, wasn’t quite at viscount or count level, but close—just one rank below.

He was still a landed noble, and for someone like Wiz, he’d normally be the kind of “safe bet” you secure before aiming for higher prey.

Which is why—

“I refuse as well. Could you not interrupt my pleasant conversation with Tect?”

Wiz’s firm rejection shocked me just as much as it shocked everyone else around us.

“…Huh?”

“Let’s go, Tect. Being surrounded by gawkers is unpleasant.”

“Eh—ah, o-okay. Got it.”

Wiz took my hand and led me away.

When I glanced back, Narcis was frozen stiff. Then, creaking like a broken puppet, his head slowly turned toward me—

And I caught his eyes, blazing with pure hatred, glaring at me like some kind of demon.

…Uh, okay, what the hell. That’s terrifying.