American comics: From Hogwarts to God on Earth

Just as the Fallen One forcibly concentrated his magic into a single line, attempting to kill Rune, a heavy punch slammed into his face. This vicious blow even twisted the Fallen One's neck, causing him to fall to the ground and look at the newcomer. The man was tall and strong, with clearly defined muscles, short black hair, and a pair of determined eyes.

"What brings you here?" Rune casually followed up with a magical shockwave on the Fallen One. The massive magical explosion triggered a violent blast. Rune didn't approach, but instead glanced at the guy who had just arrived—his nominal brother.

"You've been gone for too long..." Clark said, trying to go forward to check if the demon was dead, but Rune stopped him.

"I'm asking how you managed to catch up with us?"

Clark pointed to Itlergan over there: "Although my nose isn't that sensitive, the smell of sulfur is just too strong."

Iteragan shrugged, as if to say, "Is it my fault?"

Let's rewind to five hours earlier at the Kansas farm.

"You can't go!" Jonathan said sternly. Long hours of farm work had roughened his face, making him look even more intimidating when he was angry.

Clark, however, looked indignant: "Rune and I are both superpowered. Why can he leave home to rescue people whenever he wants, while I have to stay at home? It's been several days already..."

Martha sighed. Standing before the young Superman, a hint of worry in her eyes, she said earnestly, "Child, I know you have a heart that wants to help others, but the outside world is full of unknown dangers. Your powers are not yet mature enough; venturing out rashly might hurt you. It's not too late to save others when you've become stronger."

"But I don't feel like Rune is that much better than me!" Clark said angrily. "You guys just think he can make money..."

Jonathan slammed his fist on the table in anger: "Enough! If you could refuse like Rune did when the school football team contacted you two, I'd let you go with Rune!"

Clark and Rune's physical abilities were so extraordinary that even a glimpse of them in daily life was enough to make coaches drool. A while ago, the school's football coach approached them, hoping Rune and Clark would participate in training. Clark initially wanted to participate, but gave up under Jonathan's strong pressure.

"I'm not going to hurt anyone else!" Clark was also angry. Sometimes he really felt that his parents were biased; they basically didn't care about Rune, but they always cared about him.

Jonathan took a deep breath, trying to keep his tone calm. He looked at Clark and said, "You can't just impulsively take this risk. You're not ready! We let Rune do what he wanted because he's capable of independent thought, knows how to use his power wisely, and knows how to deal with the suspicions of others. But you aren't, son."

He patted Clark on the shoulder and continued, "You don't have that. All you have is this burning passion. Maybe you'll use your power humbly and restrainedly at first, but you'll soon find that your power far surpasses others, yet you're still enjoying the same treatment as everyone else. So you'll get angry, you'll get furious, and you'll start to lose your composure like you are now, because someone else was treated slightly differently."

"So, you'll start abusing your power. At first, it might just be about pushing someone down, but later on, even a living person won't mean anything to you."

Clark stood a few steps away, his hands clenched into fists, his face full of defiance. His eyes flashed with stubbornness as he retorted loudly, "I would never do that! I will only help those in need, and I will never abuse my power!"

"You wanted to join the football team just a few days ago, kid," Jonathan sighed. "But how are you going to win honors for your team after joining? You'll still have to rely on strength, won't you? You'll not only hurt others, you'll hurt yourself too..."

At this moment, Martha stepped between the two, her face filled with worry: "How can we be at ease, Clark? People even attack each other because of their skin color. If you show your strength to help others, for every round of applause and flowers you receive, you will also receive just as much cold stares and jealousy, child..."

Jonathan looked at Clark, the day he was carried out of the high-tech spaceship feeling like yesterday. He knew Clark would show his difference at some point, but he didn't expect it to be so soon.

“Yes, some people are very good at shifting the blame for their own mistakes onto others. You will be misunderstood, wronged, and therefore you will get hurt.” Jonathan’s face showed an indescribable expression. “My reason for not wanting you to show your power in front of others is selfish; I don’t want you to get hurt.”

Clark remained silent for a while before sitting back down on the sofa.

"Are we just going to wait here?" Clark asked, "anxiously waiting for Rune to return?"

Even Martha fell silent.

Rune is indeed very easy to manage. He never shows his difference to others, earns his own money at a young age, and actively helps ease the burden on his family. Talking to him is like talking to a peer. But sometimes, the more sensible a child is, the more heartbreaking it is to see them, as they are often the neglected ones in the family. So Martha and Jonathan sometimes surprise Rune to prevent him from feeling neglected.

If Rune has any flaws, it's probably that he's too independent. Like when he saved the world, Jonathan and Martha, as his nominal foster parents, had no reason to refuse. Because he's usually so obedient and reassuring, it's really hard to refuse him when he suddenly asks to do something.

Jonathan sighed. He opened a bottle of beer, fresh from the refrigerator, still covered in condensation, the bubbles making a pleasant "hissing" sound. He tilted his head back and took a big gulp; the icy yellow liquid chilled him from his throat to his heart. Then, under the influence of alcohol, Jonathan slammed the bottle down on the table.

"Go ahead."

When the young Superman heard that his father had agreed to his request, his eyes lit up and he was so excited that he almost jumped up.

"Listen..." Jonathan stared intently at Clark, "Bring Rune and yourself back to me safe and sound, you hear me!"

"I heard you!" Clark stood up straight, saluted, and then left the farm amidst Martha's constant reminders, running wildly along the path filled with the strong smell of sulfur...