[BL] Challenge: 100 Baby in Fantasy World-Chapter 248: Madha’s Sorrow

Inside a laboratory filled with the latest and most advanced alchemical equipment —second only to the Association’s main lab, which used gnome-crafted custom tools— Gara carefully plucked a single petal from the One-Night flower.

"Moments like this are rare. I should make the most of it," he murmured to himself.

As Ambar had promised, she allowed Gara to take a break from lab duties after the Class S Duel. Langga had also granted him a week off, insisting he use it to rest.

"Huff... I really do want to rest. But this flower’s been waiting for me," he sighed, though his bright, focused eyes betrayed how much he actually enjoyed this.

Behind his laid-back demeanor, Gara had always loved research sessions like this. He spent the entire day in his private lab inside his dimensional home.

By the time he stepped out, the lights in the main room were already off. Not wanting to wake anyone, he didn’t bother turning on the Fire Lightbulb.

Guided only by the pale moonlight streaming through the vents, Gara walked quietly toward the kitchen.

But before he could reach it, just beyond the living room, he heard movement behind him.

He turned sharply, finding a tall, broad-shouldered figure standing there. The man’s face was hidden in shadow, but Gara immediately recognized him.

"Madha? You’re still awake?"

Madha nodded his head. "Did I scare you?"

"A little. But I know no one dangerous could ever get in here." Gara’s face relaxed.

Madha stepped closer, and with one smooth pull, drew Gara into his arms.

"Our days have been so busy lately," Madha said quietly. "Especially you— working as a researcher in Chief Alchemist Ambar’s lab, assisting Professor Aura’s classes, doing special training with Professor Langga, and still keeping up with all your own coursework..."

There was a trace of sadness in his tone that didn’t escape Gara’s ears.

"I’ll try to make more time for you," Gara said softly, tightening his embrace. He could feel it, something was weighing heavily on Madha tonight.

"No," Madha murmured. "Don’t hold yourself back because of me. I’ll learn to understand, whatever it is you need to do."

They slowly loosened their hold, meeting each other’s eyes. Just as Gara suspected, Madha’s gaze was filled with quiet sorrow.

"Gara," Madha whispered, "you’re my number one. No matter what happens, I’ll stay by your side."

Gara smiled faintly. "Of course. We’re engaged, after all. And... we already have this little one."

He guided Madha’s hand to rest against his own flat stomach. The moment Madha felt it, a flash of pain crossed his eyes— deeper than before.

"Our child," he said softly. "I’ll raise them well. So no matter what happens, please... let me stay with you. I’ll always support you."

Gara frowned. Something about Madha’s words felt off.

"Why are you saying things like that? We’re engaged, Madha. We’re going to be together, always." His tone was confident, unwavering.

But Madha couldn’t meet his gaze. Instead, he pulled Gara into another embrace, holding him tightly.

"You’re right, Gara. I’m sorry for saying something unnecessary," he said. But even then, Gara could still hear the doubt in his voice.

That night, they spent a passionate, fevered night together. A night filled with warmth and wild intensity.

"Madha..." Gara whispered between ragged breaths, his lips brushing Madha’s ear. "If you keep going like this... I won’t be able to stand tomorrow."

Madha didn’t slow down after hearing that, he only became wilder.

"If you can’t stand tomorrow, I’ll just carry you," he growled.

Gara couldn’t even form a reply anymore. His mind went blank, surrendering to the pleasure —the raw passion— Madha poured into him.

...

The next day, Herbalist Class had just ended. Professor Aura had already returned to her office, but Gara stayed behind to collect the student’s last week assignment.

Oddly enough, none of the other students had left yet either. They should’ve been free to go after turning in their work.

Are they waiting for me? Do they want to talk? Gara wondered, puzzled.

A hare girl approached him, carrying a stack of papers, other students’ assignments.

"Clara, do you know what they’re waiting for?" Gara asked. It was easier than guessing. Clara was the only one in this class who could chat casually with him.

"You don’t know?" Clara’s ears twitched slightly, surprised. "There’s a Herbalist Club meeting after this. It’s the first meeting for first-years. Everyone’s been looking forward to it!"

"Oh, really?" Gara’s eyes lit up, though a flicker of worry crossed his face. "Is it starting right away? I still need to take care of something with Professor Aura."

"I can ask the seniors to delay it for a bit," Clara offered quickly. "They’ve been dying to meet you anyway. I’m sure they won’t mind waiting."

"Really? Then, please help me ask them."

"Honestly, none of us expected you to even join the meeting," Clara admitted with a grin. "You already have way better connections than the rest of us. You work directly with Professor Aura, who’s basically connected to every top herbalist in the kingdom."

Gara waved his hands frantically. "No, no, I’m just a teaching assistant. My connections aren’t that impressive."

Clara only smiled, saying nothing, but her expression made it clear she knew better.

Once Gara had gathered all the assignments, he headed straight to Professor Aura’s office. The professor seemed to have been expecting him. She greeted Gara with a wide smile.

"The seeds have arrived," Aura said.

That one word, seeds, was enough for Gara to know exactly what she meant. It were the autumn seeds from one of Aura’s old colleagues.

Aura gestured toward a wooden box on the assistant professor’s desk. A desk that Gara actually used more often than the assistant professor herself, since she spent more time in the herb garden.

"There are three seeds inside," Aura continued as Gara approached the box like it was a treasure chest. "One of them is the Autumn Apple. The tree can grow, but it’s never been able to bear fruit. It only produces in cold climates, which are nearly impossible to replicate—

Old records claimed its fruit could enhance a Liner’s stamina endurance."

"Increase stamina endurance?" Gara’s eyes sparkled as he carefully held the box. "That sounds incredible."

Aura nodded. "Yes, but since no one has ever managed to make the tree bear fruit, it’s still unproven. Most people don’t even believe the old records. I didn’t either— until you revealed the hidden properties of Niskara, the one that restores a Liner’s stamina."

If the Autumn Apple truly had that effect, it would easily surpass Niskara. After all, the stamina restoration from Niskara still required Gara’s water to activate.

No tool had ever been able to extract the specific component in Niskara that produced that stamina-restoring effect.

That’s why Gara was so eager to meet the gnome engineer who worked for the alchemy lab, maybe he could request a custom machine from him someday.

"Next, there’s the Black Lavender," Aura continued, drawing Gara’s attention back to her. "This plant has far stronger properties than ordinary lavender."

"Ordinary lavender repels insects, right? Then what about Black Lavender, Professor?" Gara asked, curious.

"The scent of this one repels wild beasts," Aura explained. "Extremely useful but unfortunately, it grows best in low temperatures. Even if it manages to grow, the flowers end up short and sparse. Because of that, the plant’s yield is low, and its products are rarely used. Too expensive, and most hunters don’t find it worth the price."

Gara sighed softly. It made sense. Hunters weren’t exactly wealthy people. Expecting them to spend that much on beast repellents was unrealistic.

"And what’s the last one, Professor?"

"The last one isn’t a seed," Aura said, her tone shifting slightly. "It’s a stem from a flower called Chrona. There are no Chrona seeds left in existence. Every cultivation attempt fails before the plant even sprouts leaves. It never grows past the stem stage."

"Is the temperature requirement that strict?" Gara asked, already feeling this Chrona might be the true autumn plant among the three.

Aura nodded. "Extremely strict. But research on it has never stopped, because of a direct request from the Alchemist Association."

"The Alchemist Association?" Gara blinked, puzzled.

"Yes. As a researcher yourself, you probably know their collaborative project— the one where they’re trying to create an elixir of longevity."

Gara’s eyes widened slightly. "Wait... are you saying the Chrona flower can extend life?"

"According to old records, one researcher managed to prove it once," Aura replied calmly. "That’s why the Association has been chasing that discovery for generations, trying to make the Chrona bloom again."

She smiled faintly, then added, "So when they heard I was looking for rare seeds to gift to you, they immediately sent over a grafted Chrona stem."

Gara was left speechless for a moment. Ambar had never mentioned anything about this.

Maybe because every time they met in the lab, their discussions always revolved around Ambar’s current project which had reached a critical phase.

"Gara," Aura said softly, her tone meaningful. "It seems the Alchemist Association has placed quite a lot of hope on you."

...