Chapter 294

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*- Kayden speaks on behalf of everybody.*

This is the 294th episode of *unORDINARY*.

## Synopsis

In a diner, two university students toast the end of their latest examination period and down big swigs of their drinks. Kayden belts out a hearty belch before slumping over, mentally exhausted. Kuyo tells him to unwind to his heart's content. It occurs to him it's odd that Kayden supposedly works alongside killers, yet pursues a future in medicine. Kuyo asks him if he chose his major based on the wishes of his parents. Kayden answers that his parents have been dead for some time now, to the shock and embarrassment of Kuyo. But Kayden says that, considering the circumstances, he considers himself lucky. His adoptive guardian took good care of him, and even pays for his education. Kayden adds that if not for his guardian encouraging him to sharpen his mind to make something of himself, he'd be just some guy who has an ability that's useless in a fight. In conclusion, it's against his personal belief that people's many talents should be ignored simply their abilities aren't formidable. Kuyo recalls Rei having identical sentiments.

Kayden brings up the chemistry genius who helped him in his studies. Kuyo listens with keen interest as he describes how the guy's intellect alone allowed him to make tonics that were just as potent as any medical ability. Kayden finds himself being asked why he brings up this chem-whiz so often. He's then blindsided when Kuyo suggests he lied about taking John and Seraphina to the hospital after they rescued them. Kayden lies and says the guy works there, but Kuyo perceptively notes that he never referred to the miracle worker as a "doctor" before. Kayden tries to get some of the pressure off by asking his nosy friend why he wants to be in their major when he could be doing more with his powerful ability. Kuyo states it's for similar reasons about wanting to prove that a high-tier can be a healer even if he's more suited for battle. Kayden calls for another toast to celebrate wanting to better the world violence-free. But mutual suspscion belie their outward cheerfulness. Kuyo wonders if the charitable attitude is an act, while Kayden is frustrated at the incessant attempts to pry into his affairs.

At Wellston Private High School, John and Seraphina hang out following the end of their classes. John's crestfallen face is noticed by Seraphina, who asks what's up. John admits to feeling quite the fool. He had been feverently wishing there were more vigilantes who dared to make a positive difference. Yet he comletely failed to realize that people like that were closer than he thought. Worse, he tried to destroy those champions. Seraphina elbow jabs him and tells him to stop putting himself down over his actions already. The hatchet's been buried, after all. John realizes that Seraphina wasn't surprised by the revalation that the trio fought EMBER. She reveals that she learned about it way back when she, Isen, and Arlo first began to look into Spectre. John is astonsihed that she knew for so long, but she points out that the topic never had a chance to come up back when John was "focused" on being King of Wellston. John then grabs his head when he realizes that Arlo knew about all this before he did. Seraphina tells him that they can bring him up to speed, so it's all fine. John disagrees, because as the first reader of Unordinary, he should have been pioneering the vigilante movement. Those three were living out his father's ideals, so he had no excuse for laying low all this time. John turns to Seraphina and tells her that he's sick of being a disgrace, and promises that he'll be somebody worthwhile some day. She smiles at his resolve.

Arlo walks through the school. The atmosphere is more relaxed that it's ever been, yet one student is still nervously apologetic after carelessly bumping into him. Yet despite clear annoyance, Arlo barely acknowledges the incident and continues on his way. This surprising change in attitude stems from the stress of working nonstop both at school and the Bureau of Authority. With burdens like his, he has no time to address the matter of Remi and her cohorts on the verge of being arrested. Even more worrisome were the ominous "readjustment classes" those three would be penalized with. Arlo makes his way to Room 224, and is greeted by Dylan. Arlo also sees John, and recalls that he had apparently completed those very courses. A quiet tension grips the room, as the two ex-Kings stare each other down. Annoyed, John asks what his business is. Arlo asks for a moment in private.

They go to the roof, where John rudely remarks on Arlo's baggy-eyed look. Arlo is too spent to retort, and plainly inquires: what exactly were readjustment classes about? John shudders at the mention of his traumatizing experience, and demands to know where Arlo heard about it.

## Appearing Characters

* Kuyo
* Kayden
* Liam (flashback)
* Neil (flashback)
* Rei (flashback)
* John
* Seraphina
* Remi (flashback)
* Isen (flashback)
* Blyke (flashback)
* Arlo
* Kassandra (flashback)
* Dylan