Star-Lord froze as he looked at the high school student writhing in pain on the ground.
"You have no idea who you've just messed with!"
Eric stormed toward the student, his face full of fury.
Frightened, the high schooler scrambled to his feet and ran off, wincing through the pain.
Once he made it behind a car, he threw all dignity aside, dropping to the ground and desperately crawling underneath the vehicle.
Eric didn't drag him out right away. Instead, he paced slowly around the car with the air of a cat toying with a mouse.
A minute later, he reached the left side of the car, crouched down, and called out, "Hey, are you seriously going to keep hiding like a rat?"
"N-no, please don't hurt me…"
The student begged Eric in terror.
"I preferred you when you were acting all arrogant," Eric sneered.
He placed his hands under the car and with a small effort—
Boom! The unlucky vehicle was hurled skyward, flipping and crashing back down with a thunderous bang!
The student lying on the ground stared in shock at Eric's terrifying display, frozen in place with fear.
Eric walked over and grabbed the teen by the shirt, lifting him into the air.
"Ahh! Help! Somebody help me!!"
The student screamed wildly, flailing in panic.
"Hey! I think you'd better put him down," Star-Lord finally shouted, unable to stay silent any longer. "Your strength isn't meant to be used on regular people!"
"Who are you?" Eric frowned, turning to look at him.
"I'm Peter Padric. But my name doesn't matter. I'm telling you, you'd better let him go."
Star-Lord had heard from his father that Clark's powers had been transferred to a regular person.
Now, he guessed that the man in front of him was the one who'd received them.
He placed a hand on his belt, ready to draw his elemental blaster at the slightest move.
"And what if I say no?"
Ever since gaining Clark's powers, Eric had become addicted to the thrill of strength.
At first, he'd used it to stop muggers and thieves, earning praise from the public. The media even dubbed him "Super Kid."
He had loved the admiration and hoped to become a true superhero.
But now, that desire was fading.
Why play hero when he could do anything he wanted—and no one could stop him?
"Hey, I'm warning you—don't try anything. I've dealt with guys like you before."
As Star-Lord spoke, he pulled out a gun enchanted with runes by Peter.
Eric laughed when he saw the "toy gun" aimed at him.
"You really don't get how powerful I am, do you? Real bullets can't even hurt me—and you're pointing that junk at me?"
He tossed the student aside and slowly walked toward Star-Lord.
Seeing this, Star-Lord wasted no more time. He pulled the trigger.
The runes on the elemental gun activated, a blinding glow gathering around the Yggdrasil core inside the weapon. A sudden wave of energy erupted.
Powered by the runes and the core, the gun released a blast like a magical cannon straight at Eric.
Caught off guard, Eric was struck in the chest by the elemental energy before he could dodge.
Boom! With a blinding flash, he was blasted backward.
"You… you…!"
Eric lay stunned on the ground, staring at Star-Lord in disbelief.
Clark had always lacked resistance to magic, and now that Eric had inherited all his powers, he had the same vulnerability.
The instant the elemental blast hit him, pain exploded through his body, leaving him unable to stand.
Seeing Eric downed by a single shot, Holly and her boyfriend gaped in shock.
Even the Black security guard fainted on the spot, overwhelmed by the spectacle.
"No matter how hard you glare at me, it won't change the fact that you lost. This is a magic gun my dad made for me," Star-Lord said smugly, holstering the weapon.
Just as he turned to check on the injured student—
Eric suddenly leapt to his feet and charged at him.
Caught off guard, Star-Lord was slammed aside.
Wham!
He crashed to the ground as Holly and her boyfriend screamed. The elemental gun flew from his belt and landed near Eric.
Panting, Eric winced through the pain, trying to stagger forward and pick up the magical weapon that could hurt him.
Unfortunately for him, school had just let out.
Several students passing by witnessed Eric smashing Star-Lord into the ground.
As Eric turned to look at them, he saw only fear in their eyes—no more admiration, no more awe.
His mind raced. He stopped pursuing Star-Lord or the gun and instead turned to Holly.
"Let's go, Holly."
But to his shock, the girl who had once flirted with him now glared at him with disgust.
"Get away from me, you freak!"
The word freak stabbed him like a knife. He wanted to explode—but seeing the growing crowd of students, he could only slink away.
From the crowd, John watched Star-Lord lying on the ground. His gaze shifted to the retreating Eric. As he helped Star-Lord up, a flicker of anger sparked in his eyes.
Kent Farm.
Jonathan and Martha were hosting two guests.
"I'm Mu Palasha, FBI agent. I'd like to speak with your son—Clark Kent."
The muscular agent in sunglasses stated calmly, making his intentions clear.
"I don't know what you want to talk about, but I don't think Clark has anything to do with you people," Jonathan said, staring the man directly in the eye. "You're not going to get what you're looking for."
"Oh, really? Because from what we know, your son Clark might not feel the same way. He might be willing to have a conversation with us."
As he spoke, Mu Palasha took a file from his colleague.
"On July 14th last year, Clark Kent pulled someone out of a burning car. The investigation revealed that the car door had been ripped clean off—an incredible display of strength. And this year, on July 22nd, witnesses saw him at a chemical plant, where four people were mysteriously rescued during an explosion."
He spoke while closely watching Jonathan's face for a reaction.
Jonathan's stiff expression and increasingly furrowed brow gave the agent just the reaction he was hoping for.
"If Clark possesses abilities beyond those of normal humans, we'd like him to serve his country. We can offer him the best scientific training available—and your family would receive generous federal compensation."
Palasha laid out the offer, sweetening the deal.
Jonathan remained unmoved. "I don't know what you're talking about. Our son is just a regular boy. He's not going anywhere. No one is taking him away."
"That's not up to you," Palasha replied, standing up and matching Jonathan's defiant tone.
Just then, Clark opened the door and walked in, pausing as he saw the tense standoff.
"Dad?"
"I'm guessing you must be Clark Kent," Agent Palasha said as he stepped forward with a smile and extended a hand.
Clark walked over, unsure, and shook his hand.
While gripping Clark's hand, the agent subtly increased his grip, trying to test him.
To his surprise, Clark let out a small cry of pain.
Palasha glanced at his colleague. Both of them were taken aback, watching as Clark winced and nursed his hand, clearly hurt.
Did they get the wrong person?
"Clark, your nose is bleeding," Jonathan said, pointing.
Clark wiped under his nose and, sure enough, his hand came away bloody.
"Sorry, I… I need to use the bathroom," he mumbled, hurrying off. On the way, he even stumbled, nearly falling.
Watching this awkward performance, both agents started to seriously doubt whether Clark was a superhuman after all.
Buzz!
At that moment, Palasha's phone buzzed. He answered it, spoke briefly, then his expression turned serious. He nodded at Jonathan and took his leave.
When Clark returned from the bathroom and saw the two strangers had gone, he looked to Jonathan in confusion. "Dad, who were they?"
"Federal agents," Jonathan replied. "They came because of your powers. But after your little 'performance,' I think they're second-guessing themselves."
"Well, I guess I lucked out," Clark grinned. "Pretending to be a regular person isn't as easy as it sounds. Nosebleeds? Not fun."
He added, "But I got a glimpse of what it's like to be normal. I played a real basketball game with Sam and the others for the first time. It was the most fun I've ever had in sports."
Jonathan's expression softened, and he patted Clark on the shoulder. "Maybe I really have been putting too much pressure on you, Clark."
"No, Dad. I get it now. With great power comes great responsibility. My godfather was right—power isn't a burden. It's a tool I can use to pursue a greater truth."
As Clark spoke, he thought of Eric. "But if someone can't understand the responsibility that comes with power… they end up like Eric—hurting others without a second thought."
Seeing the change in Clark's attitude, Jonathan asked, "Clark, what happened?"
Clark recounted the events that had taken place at the school gate.
He hadn't seen it himself—he'd heard it from Chloe.
"Is Star-Lord okay?" Jonathan asked with concern after hearing the story.
"I just came from my godfather's place. Star-Lord is fine," Clark replied, taking a deep breath. "But I need to find Eric. I have to stop him—and take my powers back."
"This is my responsibility, my mission, Dad."
"You can't beat him right now, Clark," Jonathan said, worried.
"It's okay, Dad. I have something he doesn't."
Clark glanced down at his chest and said with quiet confidence, "I have heart."