Sage mode:

1) Guns exist. These guys are GANGSTERS. Even before the apocalypse their whole purpose was militaristic in nature. A gang doesn't focus on medicine and physics and chemistry. Do I need to explain what a gang is?
2) Julian is a conduit. The death of his friend and the emotionless of his onikage has a huge influence on him and has dulled his emotional responsiveness. I was planning on having a scene where he realized that he could be his old self again AND a scene where he realized he was turning into an emotionless mess, but, fine, I guess you can ruin that if you want.