Chapter Text
John knocks on the door to the principal's office. He had met the man twice before, once during a video call and once during John's entrance exam and interview. The man had been nothing but kind and welcoming but still gave off an aura of power. He hears the principal shout "come in" so he opens the door.
The office is nothing too special; the only thing that stands out about it is the amount of books, on the left and right wall there are massive bookshelves that house at least a hundred books each.
Principal Vaughn sits at his desk and smiles when John comes in. The man hasn't changed a bit since he last saw him, not that he expected him to, he still has the same green hair, the same gold eyes and the same glasses that he had. The man gestures to a seat in front of his desk as he speaks.
"Welcome to Welston Private High School, Mr. Doe." The man says as John sits down "it's wonderful to see you again but it concerns me that you're late, do you have a reason?"
"It's good to see you again as well, sir." John really hates formality but he doesn't want to make a bad impression. "Yes, I do have a reason. you see, I encountered some bullying on my way and had to step in."
He watches as principal Vaughn expression changes and his foreheads wrinkles become more pronounced as his brows crease. He stares at John as if just by looking at him he can see his very soul. John knows he probably couldn't since his ability is gravity but he still feels a shiver race down his spine and the hairs on the back of his neck stand up.
"I hope to clarify with you before you start getting in more fights that this is not new Bostin, I will take necessary measures if needed." Principal Vaughn warns "however I do believe that my students need to learn how to sort out issues on their own so I don't often get involved in student issues or fights''
John internally rolls his eyes, what kind of principal just leaves his students beat the shit out of each other, his old principal did and look at what happened to new Bostin, it went to hell and John became the devil.
"It does interest me that you stepped in, high tiers typically do not stand up for low tiers, I've had students in the past who have but they have been rarer than a blue moon in February"
"I think we know that I'm not your typical high tier, sir." John answers, curious about the past students that seemed to share his opinion
"Yes, we do. It will be great to have someone as considerate for low tiers as the king" principal vaughn compliments him. John can't help but to chuckle, does Vaughn seriously expect him to be king, after new Bostin, even if he is able to use his ability he does not want to be king.
"I'm sorry to say sir but I won't be king at any point of my attendance here"
Vaughn stares at him with his soul reading stare again "may I ask why?"
"It's for two, no three reasons, I can't be king" John starts. "Firstly I don't think I suit the position of king, I am a horrible leader and I doubt I have the confidence to either. Secondly recently I have found I am unable to use my ability and prefer to fight without. Lastly and most importantly I have no intention for there to even be a hierarchy in welston private highschool by the time I graduate."
Principal Vaughn now stares at him with curiosity in his eyes, at which part of John's statement he doesn't know.
"Do you know why I have let you be a student here even with your record for violence and your expulsion, Mr Doe"
John shakes his head, he thought it was because he is strong, a 7 is an extremely high ability level, schools around the country would ignore his record just so they could have someone so strong as a student.
"It is because of your experience in life" principal Vaughn explains as he stands up and goes over to his book shelf looking for a book. " You have lived as a cripple and experienced the cruelty and oppression that our governments encourage.
You have also lived as a god tier, a level seven, something that's just as rare as being a cripple, and you experienced the privilege that society gives you and you've seen the blind eye they give to your violence.
Do you know how rare it is to be a cripple? 2% of the population. Do you know how rare it is to be a god tier? 0.001% of the population. Do you know how rare it is to be a late bloomer? 0.0001% of the population. That's around only 8000 people in the whole world. In America there's only around 331 people and you're one of them."
Vaugh takes a pause in his speech to put a book he had taken from his bookshelf in front of John and sits back down, he doesn't smile as he says his next words.
"If you do the maths, you, a late bloomer and a god tier, statically, shouldn't exist. That means you have the rarest viewpoint on earth. It also makes you different, special, something society is cautious of and hates. You've already seen how they're scared of you. Haven't you? in your readjustment classes."
John doesn't know what to say, he has so many questions. If he shouldn't exist then why does he, how the fuck doed he know about the readjustment classes and why is there a book in front of him. He also feels like crying, not because he was just told that society hates him, he already knew that even as a cripple. But to be told that society would be cautious of him, that everyone should fear him, it makes him want to vomit. No wonder Keon said he would always fail, he isn't even supposed to exist. No wonder Clare and Adrion thought he was a monster. No wonder they were so reluctant to end his classes at the readjustment facility.
He asks the one question he can without crying and shouting at Vaughn. "Why did you give me a book with a blank cover" there is nothing on it, it just has a plain black hardback cover, nothing written on it, not a title nor the author's name. nothing and the book had to be around 300 pages.
Vaughn smiles, something John is starting to find concerning instead of comforting. "I think it'll help you. To regain your ability. To tear down the hierarchy like you plan to. To find the reason why someone like you even exists. Who knows maybe you are the chosen one that a lot of people have been waiting"
Now John is confused is Vaughn encouraging him to fuck with the government and authorities. He doesn't need permission but at least he knows there will be someone in his corner. He is also confused about how the book will help him with all that. He looks at Vaughn for a second before simply nodding in understanding, which he very much isn't
"I want you to finish this book by the end of the year and write something about your opinion about it. You can write as much as you want in any format, your dad's told me you're a good writer." Vaughn smiles "we don't want you to be too late to your first class so we will end this conversation for now
Here's your locker number and your schedule. Also take this, it's a note explaining your lateness"
Vaughn hands him three pieces of paper which John takes, grateful that this conversation is over. "Thank you, sir"
"You're welcome." Vaugh says, nodding at him as John stands up and walks over to the door "and remember Mr. Doe, my doors always open."
John smiles and nods as he leaves the room, closing the door. He breathes in and out. What was that conversation? Why did principal Vaughn want to help him? He looks down at the book and opens it to look at the first page.
It reads;
Dedicated to every joker in a deck of cards
John chuckles at the pun. The royals and hierarchy are based on a deck of cards so why can't all those who oppose it not be as well.
He smiles, he already can't wait to read more, but right now he has a class to go to.