The Virus Called Stupidity

"Does it matter, Clark?"

Eric's expression remained calm. "It's over, so don't dwell on the so-called details. It won't bring you any positive benefit, emotionally or materially."

Clark frowned slightly. "No matter how serious Jeremy's mistake was, Eric, he should have been handed over to the law for judgment."

"That's true in theory, but things are never that simple, Clark. The French writer Anatole France once said: under its majestic equality, the law forbids both the rich and the poor from sleeping under bridges, begging in the streets, and stealing bread. But look at the real world we live in. It really is adorably absurd."

Eric continued using his own way to "argue sophistically" with Clark.

"Besides, if I hadn't dealt with him, Lana would have been the one hurt. What would you have done in my place, Clark?"

When Eric mentioned Lana, Clark's expression shifted slightly.

"You mean Jeremy wanted to hurt Lana before?"

He suddenly recalled Lana thanking Eric earlier.

Could Lana have thanked Eric because of this?

As countless thoughts flashed through his mind, Clark felt several doubts rise within him.

Had he really misunderstood Eric?

Eric had previously hinted to Chloe that Jeremy was the murderer, and now he had saved Lana.

It seemed Eric was not as terrible as Clark had imagined.

"You can ask Lana. I'm sure the intimacy between you two, who tell each other everything, surpasses anything between us."

After saying that, Eric pointed at the mountain of books and papers piled on the desk. "I still have some things to take care of. If you have nothing else to do, Clark, you can leave."

Clark rubbed his nose, wanting to say something.

But when he saw Eric sit down with his back to him, he swallowed the words he had wanted to say.

Before leaving, he glanced at the bizarre painting on the wall.

Lana said these paintings were full of artistic flair. Why did he feel nothing?

Did he really have no artistic sense at all?!

A wave of dejection rose in Clark's heart.

"Wait, Clark!"

Just as Clark was about to leave, Eric suddenly called out to him.

"?"

"This is useless in my hands. Maybe you need it more. Take it."

As he spoke, Eric handed him a small lead box.

"This is...?"

Clark accepted the lead box in confusion.

"Open it and see."

Without suspecting anything, Clark slowly opened the lead box.

A dazzling green light shone out from within!

At the same time, his body seemed to receive some kind of signal. Weakness, exhaustion, and even waves of stabbing pain washed over him.

"This is...? Lana's necklace!"

Looking at the green stone fashioned into a necklace, Clark ignored the discomfort in his body and revealed an expression of extreme shock.

Whitney had used this necklace to weaken his powers and tie him to a cross.

He had thought Eric had casually thrown the necklace away when he rescued him. He never expected Eric to have kept it.

"Why...?"

"Why give it to you now?"

Eric's tone still carried little emotion. "Your dating life has been going in circles. I can't stand having someone too stupid around me, or I might catch a virus called 'stupidity,' so I gave you the necklace. Is that a good enough reason?!"

"..."

Hearing Eric's sharp-tongued jab, Clark did not feel upset as he had before.

After closing the lead box, warmth flowing through his heart, he thanked Eric.

"Even if that really is the reason, Eric, thank you!"

After Clark left with his heart filled with joy, Eric put down his pen, stood up, and looked out the window.

Giving the lead box to Clark was not entirely about helping his date along.

It was also an emergency precaution after Eric increasingly felt that Lana might be growing curious about him.

Having a woman like Lana become curious about him would definitely be troublesome.

Whether that curiosity could turn into affection aside, her entanglement with Clark alone was enough to annoy him.

Thursday.

Four days after the Homecoming Dance, the school had finally returned to normal operations.

"So, Clark, can you tell me why Eric can shoot lasers from his eyes?"

Pete, with his arm slung around Clark's shoulders, asked curiously, "I once read a comic where the protagonist could fire lasers, but he could only do it by installing miniature laser devices on his wrists. Compared to shooting lasers from his eyes, wrist lasers are totally lame!"

Holding a cup of coffee, Chloe said, "Arthur Parks? Laser Man, that was his name, right, Pete?"

"I thought you only cared about hot news topics, Chloe. I didn't expect you to be interested in comics too."

Pete felt as though he was seeing Chloe in a new light.

"Actually, I'm not interested in comics, especially superhero comics. I only came across that guy while researching something. Don't you think these people in bizarre costumes are weird?"

Chloe mercilessly mocked them.

"I feel offended."

Pete was very displeased that his hobby had been looked down upon.

"Hey! Clark!"

Just as he was about to continue his verbal sparring with Chloe, a voice interrupted him.

The three of them looked toward the source of the voice and saw Watt, the football coach.

Coach Watt was short but powerfully built, with a fiery temper. He was both respected and feared by the football team players.

However, when dealing with students outside the football team, he usually restrained his temper, so he had a good reputation among the students.

"Coach Watt."

Clark hurriedly greeted him.

Coach Watt did not look very happy, and Clark could guess why.

The football team had suffered heavy losses at the Homecoming Dance. Naturally, that was unacceptable to Coach Watt, whose goal this year was to win the championship.

"I heard Eric mention that Clark's arm strength is even greater than his. I watched the recording of your tryout before. Your technique is lacking, but your arm strength is incredible! If you join our football team, Clark, you'll definitely be a major boost to the team!"

Coach Watt got straight to the point and began recruiting Clark.

"I need to help out on the farm. I'm afraid I don't have the time..."

Though he was tempted, Clark knew how his father felt about him joining the football team, so he wanted to refuse despite being moved.

"Your father would rather see you on the field than on the farm. I knew your father, Jonathan Kent. He was one of the most talented players I ever coached. It runs in the family. Clark, don't waste your talent on a farm and a tractor!"

Coach Watt patted Clark on the shoulder, encouraging him.

Clark hesitated for a while, wanting to refuse.

But then he suddenly thought of the conversation between Lana and Eric in the room.

Lana had been won over by Eric's paintings. If... he became a key player on the football team, he would have something that could make Lana see him in a new light.

And Lana was also the captain of the cheerleading squad.

"I'm willing to join the team, Coach Watt."

Thanks to "Reader 1455147117727412224" for the tip, and thank you all for your votes.