[BL] Challenge: 100 Baby in Fantasy World-Chapter 289: Commander Gavin’s Son

After they finished talking, it was time for Gara, Tristan, and Wina to return. Karon and Ramun walked with them to see them off.

They passed through the same corridor from earlier. Karon explained the people in each painting.

"The individual portraits are a row of every Duke, from the first Duke to the current one. The family portraits on this side belong to the current Duke’s household."

Karon stopped in front of a painting of a young man who resembled him. "This is Commander Gavin when he was young around your age, Gara."

Gara could see the resemblance, though his birth father looked handsomely masculine, not... pretty, like him.

Gara nodded.

Karon then pointed out a painting of himself, Gavin, and Ramun riding horses, as well as several others of the three brothers.

But when they reached the very last painting, Karon didn’t explain it. They simply walked past it.

The painting showed three small children added to the family. Gara assumed they were the next generation of Eshaan House.

Whatever Karon’s reason, he chose not to mention them.

Since Karon wasn’t allowed to leave the castle residence, he stopped there. Only Ramun continued escorting them toward the front gates. Silence returned.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Gara could hear additional footsteps behind them. He suddenly stopped, then turned around.

Behind a slim tree trunk, three kids were "hiding." They were clearly visible but still pretending to hide.

Ramun noticed and turned as well.

"You three!" Ramun barked, voice sharp.

The children—two girls and one boy—froze instantly. They stepped out from their terrible hiding spot.

Gara was stunned by how much they resembled him. There really was blood relation between him and this family.

"Back to your rooms," Ramun ordered.

The three lowered their heads and walked away.

Gara shot his uncle a glare full of disbelief. ;Why scold them that harshly? And why are Ramun and Karon acting like they don’t want me to interact with those kids at all?’

"Let’s go," Ramun called, snapping Gara out of his thoughts.

From behind, Gara watched the cold man’s back. ’This is why it’s hard to trust them. They’re hiding too many things. For now... I won’t bring up triplets.’

They reached the front of the castle. The carriage was waiting.

"Sir Ramun, we’ll be going," Tristan said politely. Ramun nodded.

Gara helped Wina climb in, then boarded without saying a word.

Seeing that, Tristan quickly added, "Gara must still feel awkward. It’s his first time meeting everyone."

Ramun nodded again.

The carriage rolled forward. Through the window, Gara saw Ramun standing in the same spot, his expression still cold.

...

A few days later, news that Gara was Commander Gavin’s son spread everywhere. It became the academy’s hottest topic.

Miki was willing to be late to class just to get clarification from him.

"Gara, are you really... Commander Gavin’s kid?" The rat boy’s eyes widened at his own question.

Gara nodded. "You’d better help spread the clarification. I’m tired of answering the same thing over and over."

"Your mother is V-Vita, the Guardian of the Tree of Life?" Miki even covered his own mouth after blurting it out.

Gara nodded again. "I’m like you, a half. Anything else? Ask quick before Instructor Maul gets here."

Even while still in shock, Miki —the certified academy’s gossip expert— managed to ask, "So you’ve been hiding your identity because you were afraid of... being killed by the druids?"

His voice dropped to a whisper at the end.

"I’m not answering that," Gara said flatly. "What matters is this... I’m part of Eshaan House. I’m the Duke’s grandson. Anyone who messes with me will have to deal with Eshaan House too."

Miki nodded quickly. "You’re right, Gara."

After another round of questions, he hurried off before he got locked out of his own classroom.

This time, Revan approached. His eyes were filled with guilt.

"Sorry, Gara," he murmured.

Gara frowned. "What are you apologizing for?"

"A lot of people keep saying I’ll be the next Commander Gavin... when you’re his actual son. And you’re incredibly strong too." The vampire boy lowered his head.

Gara let out a small laugh. "Did you ever claim you were his successor? No, right? Even if you did, it wouldn’t be wrong. Your Talent’s massive-scale attacks are similar."

Revan still looked uneasy, but some tension left his shoulders. His gaze toward Gara changed completely.

No one knew that Revan’s role model wasn’t his legendary knowledgeable grandfather who had lived for centuries, nor his cold and powerful father.

Revan’s true role model was Commander Gavin, his classmate’s father.

As a vampire, Revan’s age was unlike that of his classmates. He was older, though still considered a ’child’ among his own race.

Revan had been ten years old when Gavin led the forces against the great mist-monster assault. He wasn’t only commanding humans, but Liners from various races.

Stories of Gavin’s strength spread quickly. Revan was captivated. A human who could lead multiple races at once.

Since then, he wanted to become a leader too. Not just of his family, but of every race, to save their continent from the Mist.

Seeing the child of his idol up close, Revan acted as if he’d been enchanted.

"Revan, Instructor Maul’s here," Madha said, tapping his shoulder. His brows furrowed when he noticed how Revan was staring at Gara.

Revan snapped out of it and quickly faced forward.

Madha’s expression soured.

...

After offense class, Gara was on his way to Elemental class when a student stopped him, saying Professor Langga had summoned him.

When Gara entered the young professor’s office, Langga’s brows were knitted together. But as soon as he noticed Gara arrive, his expression shifted into a bright smile.

"Gara, so it’s true— you’re a druid. A half-druid."

"You called me here to confirm my identity? Yes, I’m the Duke of Eshaan’s grandson, and I’m a half-druid," Gara replied, face emotionless.

"I also know everything else." Langga’s smile didn’t fade.

"...Everything what?" Gara narrowed his eyes.

"The triplets. Our child."

"What—" Gara took a step back, his face twisting with betrayal. "So you’re the one who installed that crystal?! How much do you know?"

Just as Gara hadn’t expected Langga to know about the triplets, Langga hadn’t expected Gara to react this strongly.

Under the desk, Langga’s hand curled tightly into a fist. "I know it all. Your space-type Talent. The engagement. And... your pregnancy."

Gara instantly wrapped his arms around his stomach.

Langga’s gaze became fierce. He let out a sharp laugh, then asked with a mocking tone, "Did you think I’d do something to you?"

Gara’s face was filled with fear. "I don’t care what you plan to do, but don’t you dare try anything. You know I’m Duke Eshaan’s grandson. They won’t sit still if anything happens to me."

"Do you think I’m afraid of them?" Langga’s tone laced with threat.

Gara turned away, refusing to listen any further.

At the door, he paused and glanced back. "The triplets— you’re not their father."

Click. The door shut. Gara was gone.

Bang!

Langga slammed his hand on the table. "What did I do wrong?"

Honestly, he felt deeply offended by Gara’s attitude, like everything he did was some sort of crime.

"I worked out such a perfect plan to look like a sincere, understanding man. So why does he see me as the villain?" Langga muttered under his breath.

Nothing ever went according to plan when it came to Gara. He had no idea what Gara truly wanted.

"If this plan doesn’t work, I still have plenty of others. The triplets and Gara— they’re going to be mine."

...

Today had been exhausting, especially after his identity was revealed. Gara leaned back on the couch in his dorm room.

Madha sat beside him, gently massaging his fiancée’s arm.

They were supposed to enter the dimensional space together, waiting only for Fian, who hadn’t arrived yet.

At that moment, Gara’s crystal ring glowed.

"Gara, this is Ramun Eshaan," said the voice on the other side.

Gara blinked, surprised. Ever since he left Esalavya Duchy, this was the first time they had contacted him.

"There are signs of the Duke regaining consciousness after taking the vena pill and drinking your water," Ramun reported.

"Really?" Gara shot to his feet, startled. "Then he’ll wake up soon."

’He should’ve already passed the critical stage. He’ll wake up any moment now. Thank goodness I don’t have to wait until my research on chrona and the one-night flower is complete.’

"I’ll keep you updated on the Duke’s condition."

Gara thought the conversation had ended, but Ramun continued.

"A lot of gifts were delivered to Eshaan Castle, all addressed to you. They’re gifts celebrating your return."

"Gifts for my return?" Gara muttered, confused. Maybe it was some noble tradition.

"The first —and the largest gift— came from Lady Syeila of Altas Duchy."

"Lady Syeila... Who is she?"

"The Duchess of Alterian."

"Alterian... the same Alterian as Langga Alterian?"

"Yes. The Duchess is Professor Langga’s mother."

...