Secrets (Revised)

"Besides," Zod interrupted his thoughts, "that's not what we're here to discuss today, is it, my son!"

Aeo nodded gloomily, his gaze drifting to the large energy simulator in the training center's research lab.

General Zod, his cheap father in this life, set him down and his tone finally turned serious again, "Every Kryptonian naturally absorbs radiation from a yellow sun to strengthen themselves. This is one of the Fortier Empire's greatest strengths!"

Unlike his previous life, Kryptonians in the real world naturally knew they could absorb radiation from a yellow sun, becoming beings like Superman, providing greater and stronger support to the Empire and Fortier society. Don't doubt it; since Superman's father knew the Earth's sun could make Superman strong, it's impossible the entire Kryptonian society wouldn't know. That would be too ridiculous.

Therefore, from a very young age, though he wasn't old now, Aeo was told about his existence and what he could achieve in the future. Corresponding instructors and teachers reminded him, as part of Kryptonian basic education.

It was from then on that Aeo felt immense frustration and helplessness regarding the "experience" of his past life... Truly, dogmatism was deadly. Kryptonians were incredibly powerful, yet in the eyes of editors and directors, they were taught lessons by Earthlings... Truly, humans were the protagonists of the universe, and Earth was the center of the universe! Tsk!

Taking advantage of today, after Aeo's Talent Awakening, the Imperial Military officially arranged for him to personally experience what it was like for a Kryptonian to be irradiated by a yellow sun—yes, that energy simulator was used to simulate solar radiation, while also adding some absorbable energy. Such radiation was still useful to Kryptonians, but not as exaggeratedly enhancing as natural solar radiation—Aeo couldn't help but ask Zod, "If that's the case, why does the Empire still establish its capital on a star system with a decaying, short-lived star (relative to Earth's)? Knowing that the Empire isn't without other planets to resettle the people of the Capital Star..."

Zod watched as some white-coated researchers had Aeo remove unnecessary clothing and stand in the center of the machine. He explained, "There are things you don't know, secrets of the Empire. When you officially take over as an Imperial General, the Empire will naturally tell you..."

The operators didn't seem to have any objections or curiosity, merely burying their heads in their work. After a while, one of the staff members, who looked like a leader, said, "General, everything is ready."

"Then let's begin," Zod said to Aeo. "Don't worry, we're just letting you lightly experience the power of us Kryptonians. There's no danger..."

Aeo took a deep breath and nodded with a solemn expression.

Zod was unconcerned by his son's indifference. This was one of the drawbacks of Gene Modulation and advanced civilization. Although they had joys and sorrows, their moral senses were more introverted and their emotional control was stronger than that of backward Earthlings. Generally, there were no extreme highs and lows or utter despair. It seemed as if Imperial scientists had deliberately removed some of the Kryptonians' emotional nerves during Gene Modulation. It couldn't be said to be good or bad. Anyway, Aeo had already somewhat realized that after being reborn, his emotional expression had indeed become more indifferent and calm than before—but it still existed, just with less fluctuation.

"Energy charging!" the leading Kryptonian in the research lab said. "Three, two, one!" The next moment, Aeo's vision blurred as two white beams shot out from the machine's emitters, striking his body.

The residual Earthling emotions caused Aeo to let out a slight gasp reflexively.

Zod's expression changed, and he rushed to the control console. The research supervisor, sweating profusely, carefully checked all the data and said with a strange expression, "No problem!"

After crying out, Aeo also suddenly realized that the white light caused him no harm. On the contrary, after being bathed in the white light, all his cells seemed to be filled with energy and rejoiced.

He clenched his fist, feeling immense power. Even without testing, Aeo knew that if there was a Racer XI—a Racer XI, the latest transportation vehicle produced by an Imperial civilian aircraft company, known for its low center of gravity and high horsepower, uh, think of it like a Hummer on Earth—nearby, he could flip it over!

So, he waved to Zod, "It's fine, Father. I was just startled."

Only then did Zod relax his worried heart, and his face, like the research supervisor's earlier, showed a hint of strangeness.

Aeo knew that his usual demeanor was too indifferent. The calmness of adult Kryptonians could be attributed to the side effects of talent manifestation after Gene Modulation, but he was an infant. Sorry, although he had been reborn as a baby, he still couldn't learn the trick of playing dumb like some of his fellow transmigration predecessors during infancy. Anyway, Kryptonians were a cosmic civilization, they wouldn't be so barbaric as to drag him out and burn him just because an infant showed unusual intelligence and precociousness—forget whether the Council of Truth would agree, if those freaks at the Science and Technology Institute dared to propose such a thing, Aeo's cheap father in this life, General Zod, would probably tear down the Science and Technology Institute headquarters first.

Damn it, I finally have a smart, strong, and handsome descendant—in this life, Aeo inherited Zod's blond hair and gray eyes, a proper handsome guy! He was happy enough, and you want to burn him to death? You must be tired of living!

After a series of 'security' checks on his DNA, brain, irises, and nervous system, the Imperial Science and Technology Institute and the Council of Truth 'regrettably' stated that this was indeed General Zod's DNA descendant. Aeo's heart finally relaxed—he had also wondered if this would arouse Kryptonian suspicion and unease. In fact, it did cause a bit of chaos, but in the end, the Empire chose to proceed as usual. Just as Aeo had thought, as a cosmic civilization, although the Kryptonians were surprised by his intelligence and precociousness, after Aeo cooperated with a series of checks and the results were all normal, his behavior no longer aroused suspicion or unease from the Empire or others.

Watching Aeo, from a young age, act like a little adult, washing, dressing, eating, and taking care of himself, all Kryptonians who had contact with him were stunned and couldn't help but think, perhaps the General's genes were truly that powerful...

(Laughs)