Nietzsche and Superman

When Lex Luthor left Kent Farm, his mind was somewhat dazed.

He had taken in too much shocking information in too short a time. Even with his unusually rational mind, he could not remain completely unaffected.

Clark Kent's strength and stamina, clearly beyond human limits, and Eric Kent's strange, indescribable painting that seemed to glimpse his fate...

A whirl of complicated emotions echoed through his mind, leaving him utterly exhausted.

He pulled over by the roadside, placed both hands on the steering wheel, lowered his head, and took several deep breaths, allowing reason to regain the upper hand over his emotions.

He took out his phone, found the number labeled "Reporter K" in his contacts, and dialed it.

"Hey, Lex. I thought you'd fled the hospital because you couldn't stand the nurses harassing you anymore. After all, the Luthor Corporation heir's reputation as a playboy has made plenty of women drool over you."

Reporter K teased him.

"I'm a selfish man. I don't just want exclusive love—I want to be loved exclusively too. That's why ordinary women can't catch my eye."

Lex got straight to the point. "I need you to investigate two people."

"So we're dropping the investigation into the Smallville High School dance?"

"No. I don't think the two conflict."

Lex's fingers tapped meaninglessly against the steering wheel. "Clark Kent and Eric Kent, students at Smallville High School. I need you to dig up some information on them."

After hesitating for a moment, he added, "Keep it as discreet as possible. Don't let anyone find out. If there's any risk of exposure, give up—especially if there's any chance of them noticing."

Though he would not admit it, Lex still could not be completely like his father, placing profit above all else and discarding emotion entirely.

He had reservations. He was even afraid of losing Clark's friendship.

After all, Clark had saved his life and, in a sense, given him a second life.

"Understood. I'll get right on it."

Reporter K—the middle-aged man who had just had coffee with him—replied.

"Okay. I'll transfer the money to your account later, Chris."

After hanging up, Lex lowered his head in thought for a while. Then he looked up, put his sunglasses back on, and drove away.

"The Luthor family's gratitude?"

Jonathan had no interest whatsoever in the check the Luthors had left behind. "The Luthor family will betray everyone who gets involved with them. Breaking promises and being cold-blooded are traits carved into their bones."

"This is Lex thanking Clark. Besides, Lex is Lex, and the Luthor family is the Luthor family. You can't lump them together."

Martha spoke to her stubborn husband.

"I don't believe someone with such a terrible father can have a good personality. Generous? Open-handed? Grateful? Sorry, all I see are ulterior motives!"

Jonathan had an extremely poor impression of the Luthor family. "And Clark pulled Lex out in front of everyone. If he exposed his abilities and Lex noticed, it's hard not to imagine the worst."

"Are you going to blame Clark again? Didn't you want to ease things between you and Clark? If you blame him again, you'll only push him farther away."

Martha took her husband's hand and tried to persuade him.

"I just..."

Jonathan's tone softened as he said helplessly, "I'm just afraid of those government agencies. If they discover Clark, we'll lose him."

"If we can't give him our trust, then we'll lose him before those people ever come."

Martha spoke gently to her husband. "I'll talk to Clark and have him return the check. Tomorrow is Clark's first football game. If you go watch him, he'll definitely be happy."

Martha did her best to mend the relationship between her husband and eldest son.

"Mm."

Jonathan nodded. "I'll go tomorrow, but not to watch him. I'm going to make sure he doesn't hurt anyone."

Martha did not expose her husband's insincerity. She simply smiled and tightened her grip on his hand.

Meanwhile, Eric was talking with Clark in the Fortress of Solitude.

"Lex Luthor?"

After hearing that the person his brother had saved was named Lex Luthor, Eric frowned.

Superman's greatest nemesis?

The smartest and most selfish man, a believer in human supremacy?

Why were the two of them already entangled?

Countless thoughts flashed through Eric's mind in an instant.

"Eric, do you know Lex Luthor?"

Noticing Eric's strange expression, Clark asked tentatively.

"I've heard of him."

Eric walked to the edge of the barn and watched the sunset gradually reddening the horizon.

"Clark, you've read Nietzsche before, right?"

"Huh?"

Clark froze at Eric's sudden question.

"I... I only read him when I joined an extracurricular group before. Chloe recommended him to me."

Clark felt that telling others he had read Nietzsche would seem both showy and pretentious, so he answered somewhat evasively.

"Nietzsche once described the Übermensch: an immense will to power, a brand-new moral code, beyond judgment by human morality and unbound by existing ideas. Clark, if you had a choice, would you choose to become that kind of Übermensch?"

"Me?"

Clark was stunned. After thinking for several seconds, he solemnly shook his head. "I wouldn't become that kind of person."

"If Lex Luthor had the choice, he would undoubtedly become the kind of Übermensch Nietzsche described."

"...?"

Clark had no idea whether his brother was insulting Lex or praising him.

"Maybe. I don't think he's a bad person. At least, he's different from the Luthor family in the stories Dad told."

Clark shrugged, voicing his impression of the man who would become his destined nemesis.

"Whatever. Good luck in tomorrow's football game. Dad might go to school to watch you play."

Eric turned and headed toward the wooden stairs, casually telling him this.

Watching his brother's back disappear into the entrance of their secret base, Clark rubbed his nose.

Dad would come watch his game?

How was that possible?

Hadn't he always opposed Clark joining the football team?

Clark did not believe Eric's claim. Shaking his head, he walked over to the telescope, intending to take a look at Lana a mile away.

After his conflict with Eric in the gymnasium, his eyesight had improved by leaps and bounds. Now, his vision could penetrate objects, and he could spy on Lana even without the telescope.

Should he... look at Lana with his X-ray vision instead of using the telescope?

Clark fell into wavering hesitation.

Thanks to "Dreams' Long Journey" and "Hyrule Slacker" for the tips. Much appreciated!

Thanks for all the votes. It's the first day of the holiday—I hope everyone has a wonderful start.