BAB3 -Chapter 2

# Chapter 2: Emotional Instability

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Xay luxuriated atop Lexi and Kimi’s thighs as his two active cognitive threads focused on working his puzzle with *Psychokinesis*.

After taking the Nootropic Concretion Serum, his cognition expanded, accelerated, and split into four parallel threads.

His mental faculties and control of psychic force had taken a significant leap.

But the flood of sensory data he now automatically gathered and processed could be overwhelming.

That was especially true when his Skill Talent, *ESP*, was active—which it always was.

His psychic sphere of awareness had ballooned in size and he could perceive every minute detail across its complete area at once.

To help him focus on what mattered, he developed a method to collapse his extra cognitive threads when they weren’t needed.

Maintaining two active threads constantly had become his sweet spot. The total amount of processing power didn’t change; it was simply split into fewer separate directions.

When Xay needed multiple trains of thought, he could split his cognitive threads again. But when he wanted absolute focus, he collapsed them down to one.

It had the added effect of speeding up his thoughts enough to slow his perception of time around him.

He could even collapse all four, effectively shutting down his conscious mind. He’d done it during the fight with the Latch Stalker, allowing him to enter *Flow State*.

***Flow State** - Empty mind and align with psychic flow, drastically enhancing reflexes and amplifying psionic abilities.*

Xay planned to train with the state more. He didn’t like being unconscious during the fight and still didn’t fully understand its connection to ambient psychic flow.

As he mused to himself, he finally twisted the last piece of his puzzle into place with a satisfying click.

“You did it!” Tyra chirped, clapping excitedly.

Xay grinned and spun the puzzle in the air for everyone to see. It was the first time he’d ever solved it.

Majestic images of the four Primordial Gods—the True Qilin, the True Dragon, the True Phoenix, and the True Tortoise—were engraved on the four lateral faces.

The top and bottom depicted stylized representations of the sun and moon.

“It’s beautiful,” Kimi said, marveling at the design.

“Yeah, but now what are you going to do?” Lexi asked, arching a brow.

Xay opened his mouth to answer—then froze. He didn’t know.

“..Solve it again?” he shrugged. “Maybe I can mix and match parts of the gods on the sides.”

“I don’t think it works like that,” Kimi giggled.

“Not with that attitude,” Xay said, grinning.

Lexi rolled her eyes. “Yeah, well, while you figure it out, I want lunch. Let’s hit the GastroHub.”

“Bleh,” Xay groaned. “There’s people there.”

“There’s also Ms. Glenda—and your ridiculous sandwich,” Lexi shot back.

Xay chewed his lip. She made a very strong case.

Ms. Glenda’s niece had been one of the people rescued from the human experimentation lab.

To express her gratitude, she created the most bombastic, over-the-top, multi-meat masterpiece of a sandwich and named it: “The Xay.”

Other than going to the parking deck, sparring with Rox that morning had been the first time Xay went anywhere in the tower since the explosion.

And even then, the halls had been empty.

Several students had already left campus because classes were canceled, but the GastroHub was bound to have a crowd.

Still, *The Xay* sounded better than moping around all day. Xay lifted himself with *Psychokinesis*.

“I shall shower and then return for sustenance!” he declared, hovering theatrically.

He floated sideways toward his room, still lying horizontally with Dragon trailing after him.

Lexi snorted. “Idiot.”

“He’s really down about all this, isn’t he?” Kimi asked softly.

Lexi sighed. “I’ve never seen anything get to him like this before.”

“Having a suicide bomber detonate a foot away from you is traumatic enough,” Kimi murmured. “And people vilifying him when he did nothing wrong is just.. deplorable.”

“That, on top of losing the Aero Cup,” Lexi said. “He loved those races. He was so excited to be a part of the opening ceremony—and that had to happen. It’ll never be the same for him again.”

“It’s not fair,” Tyra whispered, a tear forming in her eye. “I want to fix it for him, but I don’t know how.”

Kimi smiled gently. “All we can do is give him the love he deserves.. and be patient.”

“Yeah. And we make sure he stays happy along the way,” Lexi added. “We have to make sure tomorrow is really special for him.”

“Agreed,” Kimi and Tyra said in unison.

A few minutes later, Xay returned wearing a massive, baggy hoodie the size of a parka. The hood completely swallowed his head.

“Really?” Lexi sighed, shaking her head.

“I’m cold,” Xay lied.

Without a word, Tyra walked up and wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tightly.

“I’m sorry the world is stupid,” she murmured.

He didn’t say anything, but he hugged her back just as tight.

After Kimi declared she’d hover burning embers around him to keep him warm if he was really that cold, they managed to get him to change into a normal Quantium fleece set.

Dragon coiled snugly in Xay’s hood, her head resting gently on his shoulder and Willow perched atop Tyra’s head as the group finally headed out.

When they stepped into the GastroHub, the buzz of conversation from the scattered groups hushed almost instantly.

Xay had shrunk his sphere of awareness to a tight radius—just about two feet in all directions. It was enough to react to anything entering that zone, while letting him tune out the world beyond it.

He made his way quietly to Ms. Glenda’s stall, ignoring the complicated and mixed looks shot his way.

Ms. Glenda looked up and smiled warmly. “You did good out there,” she said kindly. “Don’t let them get you down.”

She was a middle-aged, non-Awakened woman with thick glasses, gently fading black hair, and warm eyes.

Xay chuckled, scratching his head through his braids. “Thank you. I’m trying.”

Ms. Glenda prepared *The Xay* for him and *The Mini Xay* for Dragon, while updating him on her niece.

Grace had made a full recovery and had just been admitted mid-term to Valerie Academy, the prestigious all-girls institution that had once extended an invitation to Lexi.

“That’s amazing,” Xay exclaimed. “I’m happy for you both.”

After chatting with Ms. Glenda for another moment or two, he grabbed a lemonade and made his way to his usual table.

The ladies were already seated with their food, along with the rest of their close-knit crew.

Peanut was next to his girlfriend Bev, while Winnie sat across from her girlfriend Juniper. Ezra sat at her normal seat at the far corner.

“Yo,” Peanut said, holding out a fist as Xay passed.

Xay bumped it on instinct, sliding into the seat between Lexi and Kimi. “Yo.”

Ezra was watching him closely, practically vibrating with the urge to speak. “How are you holding up?” she finally blurted.

Ezra, their sophisticated, dark-haired senior by a year, was a former member of the S4—the academy’s top-ranked students.

She’d been bested a few months ago by Vi, a visiting student from the Kingdom of Illantari.

“I’m alright,” Xay replied with a thin frown. “Just.. haven’t had time to fully process everything.”

“I can’t even imagine,” Ezra murmured. “Let me know if you need anything.”

“It was fucking crazy here,” Peanut said. “Everyone was glued to the screen, completely silent as we watched you and Dragon flying through the air saving people.”

“I don’t know what I would’ve done in that situation,” Bev added. “I’m not sure if I would’ve been able to help anyone.”

Xay just shrugged, biting into his sandwich.

“So,” Ezra said, changing the subject, “did anyone have plans for the break?”

Bev smiled. “Juniper, Winnie, Ivan, and I are training together.”

“We’re going dungeon diving as many times as we can,” Winnie mumbled, her mouth full.

“That sounds fun,” Ezra grinned.

At that moment, Gideon Hightower approached their table, his new sidekick trailing behind.

“I’m surprised you have the nerve to show yourself in public after being outed as a fraud,” he sneered, staring at Xay.

Gideon was the former top-ranked first-year, and an all-around jerk. Lexi had beaten him months ago in a challenge.

“What do you want, loser?” Lexi asked, her tone sharp. “Because you’re about thirty seconds away from having your favorite greatsword shoved up your ass.”

Gideon blinked in surprise, faltering for a moment before regaining his bluster.

“I’m here to take back my rightful spot, of course,” he declared smugly. “I challenge you for your placement.”

Xay looked down at the sandwich in his hand, a strange sense of déjà vu washing over him.

“Sorry,” Ezra interrupted politely, “but classes are canceled—which means no placement challenges can be issued or accepted. Same goes for the mid-year break.”

“That can’t be true,” Gideon said indignantly, his face darkening.

“Afraid so,” Ezra replied with a shrug.

“She’s right,” Xander, Gideon’s new sidekick, added. “Chapter 16 of the student handbook. I just looked it up.”

Gideon shot him an annoyed glance, then scoffed and stormed off with Xander trailing close behind.

Lexi laughed. “Never seen anyone use the rulebook to get rid of a pest before.”

“It was highly effective,” Kimi giggled.

Xay didn’t really care one way or another. He didn’t see Gideon as a threat whatsoever.

Xay and his friends continued to chat as they ate their lunch.

After a while, the sound of an obnoxious guitar riff and rumbling thunder suddenly tore through the air.

One of the holo screens overhead that normally displayed the weather and rotating specials had been changed to a random news stream.

A logo of a red eyeball surrounded by white static gave way to a balding man with a pot belly and a pointy chin.

*“I’m Duncan Darnel, and this is Deep Truth! No sugar! No filters! Just the raw, uncut truth the mainstream cowards are too afraid to say out loud!”*

The man started yelling almost immediately.

*“Let’s talk about this so-called hero of the Aero Cup bombing. You know the name: Xavyer X! The academy student who just always seems to be in the right place at the right time.”*

Xay pursed his lips.

*“While the government-run puppet channels spoon-feed you sob stories about how Xavyer ‘saved’ everyone and their kitten from the fire, real journalism is asking the questions they don’t want you to ask!”*

*“Let’s start here: Why is no one talking about the link between Reeves and Xavyer? How did Xavyer know where to stand on the stage? Are they partners? Doppelgängers? Clones? Wake up, people!”*

He shouted, his face turning red.

*“Sources inside the A.S.I.U.—and I do mean sources, plural—tell us Xavyer has not been cleared of suspicion!”*

*”He’s still considered a ‘person of interest.’ So why’s he out there playing celebrity, while the rest of us nobodies get frisked for pocket knives?”*

*“Oh, and it gets darker. Remember that human experimentation lab he and his cronies supposedly raided and shut down? How’d they find it before the authorities?”*

*“My sources tell me that his bio-signature was found all over the scene—far too spread out for a single raid! That’s right! Real subtle, pal!”*

*“So let’s ask the real questions: Was Xavyer a test subject? A runaway project? Or worse.. a collaborator?”*

*”Did he let the Aero Cup attack happen just to cover his own tracks? To boost his image? To frame his old partner Reeves?”*

Thunder clapped and the man slammed his fist against the desk, sending papers flying.

*“And let’s not forget the dragon. What kind of creature breathes fire in reverse? That’s not natural! That’s engineered! That’s weaponized!”*

*“But the real kicker? No one in power is talking! Not the Awakened Association! Not city leadership! Not the so-called ‘free press!’”*

*“You know why? Because they’re in on it! Reeves! Xavyer! They’re not just connected! They’re not just working together! They’re the same person!!!”*

More thunder boomed.

*“You heard me! What if the bomber and the hero are the same man—playing both sides, manipulating public sympathy, building a legend off the bodies of the dead!?”*

*“Xavyer X is the problem! And until we get real answers from the A.S.I.U.—if we even can anymore—he should be off the streets and under full surveillance!”*

*“I say we arrest Xavyer X before he gets the chance to strike again! But until then, make sure to get your NeuroSync Implants so when they come for you, it’s on equal footing.”*

*“I’m Duncan Darnel. This is Deep Truth. Stay paranoid. Stay angry.”*

*”This stream was sponsored by Morwen Industries.”*

Once the stream ended, Xay realized all eyes in the GastroHub were on him.

Across the room, Gideon stood near an instrument panel with Xander, laughing loudly.

Xay let out a deep, annoyed sigh. He really didn’t have the energy to care or argue.

“I’ll see you all later,” Xay said to his friends, glancing around the table.

He activated *Psychic Blink* and teleported back to the apartment with Dragon.

If one of the instructors hadn’t shown up to quickly drag Gideon away, Lexi, Kimi, and Tyra probably would’ve painted the wall with his face.

Ezra wasn’t far from sharing the sentiment either.

Before losing line of sight, Lexi secretly marked Gideon with *Lingering Darkness*.

***Lingering Darkness (Ranger Sphere)** - Imprint a trackable mark on a target that grants stacking damage and explodes on the fifth consecutive hit.*

She was not as forgiving as Xay.

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After saying goodbye to the table, Ezra followed Lexi, Kimi, and Tyra upstairs to check on Xay.

Ever since the first day she sat at their table, she’d grown to admire his strength and moral compass.

She considered him a true friend at this point.

She hated how he was being portrayed by the conspiracy lunatics. It was disgusting, honestly.

Ezra knew he had Lexi, Kimi, Tyra, and even Rox looking out for him. But still, she couldn’t help wanting to lift his spirits herself.

She might never fully understand everything he’d been through. But selfishly, she wanted to see him smile at her again.

Once the door to the apartment slid open, the ladies found Xay hovering midair in the main living room.

He sat cross-legged, eyes closed, with his hands in his lap, slowly rotating head over heels.

His braids had come unbound and floated freely around his head—but somehow, Dragon remained tucked in his hood, unmoving, even while Xay was upside down.

“Is this normal?” Ezra asked, confused.

“More or less,” Lexi said, pursing her lips.

“He floats while meditating,” Kimi added. “But right now—”

“He looks like a sad, sideways ceiling fan,” Tyra finished for her.

Lexi sucked her teeth. “Alright. I have a fun idea.”

“What is it?” Ezra asked curiously.

Lexi grinned, a wicked gleam in her eye. “Follow me.”

While the girls disappeared into Lexi’s room, Xay was doing his best to meditate—but it wasn’t going well.

His expanded cognition gave him greater control over his surface thoughts, but his heart was still a swirl of emotions. He was out of sync.

He felt drained in a way he’d never experienced before. It was like his battery for dealing with people outside his inner circle had completely died.

The stream didn’t even really bother him. Being called out sucked, sure, but it was so dumb, it was kind of funny.

*How am I a clone of myself framing my partner who is also me?*

He couldn’t care less about Gideon either. He just didn’t feel like being stared at by an entire room.

Xay quickly came to the simple conclusion that he needed time to recharge, reflect, and to process everything—away from the public eye.

As he slowly rotated in the air, Lexi peeked around the corner.

“Hey,” she called. “Wanna see something hot?”

Xay halted his spin upside down and cracked one eye open. “I already am.”

She batted her big blue eyes at him. “Oh, Mr. X, you flatterer, you.”

He snorted. “What do you have in mind?”

She sauntered out from behind the divider, wearing far less than she had been earlier.

Lexi was dressed in nothing but a set of black satin lingerie. A balconette bra hugged her heavy breasts, lifting them until they spilled slightly over the top.

Her matching garter belt cinched her narrow waist, drawing Xay’s gaze to each and every curve.

Four silky straps trailed down from over her thong like ribbons, fastening to sheer black thigh-high stockings adorned with tiny bows.

Each click of her black heels echoed with confidence as her hips swayed toward him.

“There’s more,” she whispered, her voice low and velvety.

Xay opened his mouth, but all that escaped was a stunned breath.

Kimi followed next, gliding in behind Lexi with graceful elegance.

She wore a coordinated white lingerie set. A corset-style, sheer bustier clung to her toned midsection, the boning accentuating the sculpted lines of her abs.

The cups lifted her full breasts, while a matching garter belt framed her hips with sinful precision.

Her long legs were sheathed in sheer white thigh-high stockings that shimmered slightly as she walked in delicate ballerina heels.

Kimi gave Xay a knowing smile as she approached.

He still hadn’t found words yet, which was only exacerbated by Tyra walking out next.

She wore a pale silver silk nightie with a plunging neckline that boldly showcased her cleavage and hugged her wide hips as if tailored just for her.

The silk was offset by delicate mesh cutouts that hinted at the soft curves beneath. When she twirled, the hem lifted just high enough to reveal the lower curve of her plump butt.

Tyra flashed a mischievous grin at Xay—while Willow observed silently from the kitchen counter.

“I—” Xay tried to speak, but stopped short as Ezra came around the corner.

She wore a set of gold lingerie that clung to her flawless hourglass figure like a work of art.

The soft metallic hue contrasted gently with both the flush warming her cheeks and the hazel eye not hidden behind her asymmetrical bangs.

A deep-cut bustier with structured cups sculpted her chest, drawing a clean, elegant line down to her narrow waist.

Her hips flared daringly into a matching garter belt, sitting just above delicate golden lace panties.

Champagne-colored straps connected the belt to mouthwatering fishnet stockings, wrapping her legs in a golden shimmer.

Low gold heels clicked softly against the floor with each of her cautious steps closer.

“This isn’t something I’d normally wear,” Ezra murmured, her gaze drifting everywhere but Xay’s eyes.

“Oh, come on, Ezra,” Lexi said, looping an arm around her. “You look divine. Besides, you said you wanted to dress up with us next time.”

Kimi nodded. “You’re stunning.”

“Beautiful,” Tyra added with a grin.

“Right? Xay?” Lexi prompted, teasing.

“Huh?” Xay squeaked. “I mean—” He cleared his throat, righting himself midair. “Gorgeous. All four of you are beyond gorgeous,” he managed, eyes flicking between them.

“Damn right, we are,” Lexi laughed. “Now hurry up and get changed. We’re having a Pajama Movie Marathon.”

Xay vanished for all of thirty seconds before reappearing in nothing but black briefs.

Ezra had an even harder time looking away with his abs on full display.

Lexi grinned at her struggle. “Xay, you pick the movie. I’ll make popcorn,” she said, sauntering off.

“I’ll get drinks,” Kimi added, her legs looking impossibly long in her heels.

“I’ve got candy in my room,” Tyra called, her hips swaying as she dashed off.

Xay hated to see them go—but loved to watch them leave. He was left by the couch with just Dragon and a furiously blushing Ezra.

“You don’t have to do all this if you’re uncomfortable,” he said, cueing up a movie. “I really appreciate you coming up here. I didn’t mean to make you worry.”

Ezra finally looked at him, her blush still burning. “No, no—it’s not that I’m uncomfortable. Just a little embarrassed. This is.. kind of new for me,” she admitted with an awkward smile.

“But I’m glad you liked it,” she added, clearing her throat. “You didn’t smile once while we were in the GastroHub.. but now you can’t seem to stop.” She giggled behind her hand.

“I told you—ass and tits are the best cure for emotional instability,” Lexi announced as she, Kimi, and Tyra returned to the living room.

“I’ve never been more grateful for emotional instability,” Xay replied with a straight face, eyeing the scantily clad beauties.

The ladies burst out laughing—Ezra included, though she still attempted to avert her gaze.