Another Stupid Isekai

Because of the fight and the shopping I was late for dinner. When I returned everybody seemed to already be asleep, but I found out that it wasn't true. Celestine wasn't in our room, so I decided to look for her, eventually visiting the bar in the basement. She was there with Will, drinking coffee by one of the tables, and talking.

I was surprised by what I saw, but not alarmed, even in the slightest form.

I casually walked in to look, and we all spotted one another. They had all the lights turned on, which made the place quite bright. The only divination from that was behind the counter, where some LEDs provided different colors. Reds and blues.

- You are finally back - he said to me.

My wife simply smiled, then she patted the empty chair, next to her.

- What are you doing here? - I asked straight up, as I walked towards the table.

- We needed to talk without kids around - Celestine informed me.

- Why? - I asked immediately.

- Maybe I should explain - my friend started. - Remember the fight Leonel had?

- Sure - I confirmed, and then sat down on the chair.

- He got quite popular after. A bit too popular in eyes of some people. I don't know how familiar you are with the factions in the city, as of now, but I believe not very much - he said.

I just nodded. I knew about my son's popularity, but only from what I could observe on my own, plus everything I heard in the conversation over the dinner table. I tried to pay attention, but I had also my own stuff to do.

- Well... There is plenty, and a lot of them are troublemakers. You give power to rich kids who desperately want attention, and stuff like this happens. Anyway... Over the weeks sort of an alliance formed among A rankers and B rankers, and they folded the city with requests for an official duel with Leonel. Apparently, they harassed him a few times, but with Tihana and John around, it stopped only on words. Of course, I rejected all the requests, because I just knew it was from jealousy, and not any legitimate reason, but I'm at the point when I just can't ignore it anymore - he explained.

- That's why he came here. To ask for advice about what to do - Celestine added.

- So what conclusion you came up with? - I asked.

- Our kids are strong. They can handle themselves, and they all are involved in this, so I proposed a tournament - my wife said. - This will always be happening if they can't prove they are strong. For some people, if they see any show of weakness, they attack. The problem here is, that because of Wills's actions, no offense to you, those people got a lot of support.

- Yeah. My declining made it like I was protecting you kids, which made some people angry. There are people who want to take Arc from me, but they can not afford a direct conflict, so they are poking wherever they can. And those forces are definitely supporting the bunch who wanted to go against Leonel in the first place. I thought it would end if I said no, but... - he sighed. - It only got worse.

I nodded slowly, consuming the information I just received.

- I could just put them in their place - I pointed out, as it was my first thought.

Easy, clean, fast. Perfect, right?

- You can't do this to your kids. They have their pride. The pride you thought them - Celestine pointed out. - They are adults now, and they should feel like they don't need your protection every single time something bad happens.

She was right. I knew it as soon as I heard her argument.

- Ok, then let's go with this tournament of yours - I said, sighing heavily. - How do you want to do this anyway?

Will shrugged his shoulders.

- I never thought about this before your lovely wife didn't come up with the idea, so I won't pretend like I have nothing planned, but I think it's a good idea. Fair and square fight, to show that whatever bullshit those people are using to swing public opinion to their side, is wrong - he said.

- Wow. I thought you had a better grip on this place, and now you are telling me that you don't even know what really is being said in the shadows of your own house? - I asked, immediately regretting those words.

It was obviously an attack. Born of frustration because of the situation, but that was only a small part of the reason. The main one was the fear I experienced not too long ago. It made me angry at myself, and in such a situation, if you are not careful, it's easy to take that anger out on people you care for.

- Daniel is working on it. Since he still didn't give me a report, I am sure he found something and is digging deep - he responded to them keeping his calm.

That was the moment I realized that I fucked up.

- Sorry for that. I'm just frustrated - I said.

Will nodded, letting them know he understood. Celestine, on the other hand, put her hand on my tight, very close to the crotch.

I did my best to not react.

- I think we should get the other side to the table, and discuss what exactly we will do. I would like you to be there - Will informed me.

- You should speak with the kids first. Ask them what they want - Celestine pointed out.

I nodded.

- I'll speak to them tomorrow, and then I will pay you a visit, so we can talk this through before proceeding any further - I told my friend.

- Good. I guess it's time for me - he then said. - Thank you for the drink. Have a good night.

He picked himself off the chair and headed out. Celestine went after him, to see him off. I on the other hand stayed on my spot, contemplating everything that happened during the day.

- I'm fucking this up - I mumbled to myself.