He Had Only Learned How to Be a God Everyone Was Happy With

However, the tragedy did not happen.

A blue-and-red blur vanished from in front of the camera in an instant.

With a gust of wind, John was already standing firmly in front of the makeup artists who had gone limp with fear.

He merely extended one pale right hand and effortlessly caught the enormous collapsing steel frame.

The heavy metal seemed as light as a feather in his hand.

"Is everyone all right? Be careful. Safety comes first."

John gently pushed the steel frame back into place, turned around, and gave the still-shaken makeup artists a bright, reassuring smile.

After a second of dead silence, the entire studio erupted in thunderous applause and cheers.

"Oh, God, thank you! Thank you, John!" The makeup artists were so overwhelmed that they could barely speak coherently.

Standing a short distance away, Annie and several other superpowered children watched John's tall, straight back, the light in their eyes growing ever more fervent.

In their young hearts, this all-powerful big brother, who could always descend from the sky in a crisis, had completely transcended the bounds of humanity and become a true god.

Half an hour later, filming paused for a break.

In a private dressing room backstage, five-year-old Tommy huddled on a sofa in the corner, trembling all over, tears welling in his eyes.

He knew he had caused trouble and had nearly crushed people to death.

He had been too nervous, and his uncontrolled telekinesis had twisted the lighting rig's screws loose, causing the steel frame to suddenly snap.

In Vought International's underground laboratories, test subjects who made mistakes usually received very harsh punishments.

The dressing room door opened, and John walked in.

Tommy shuddered violently in fright, even his breathing stopping.

John walked up to Tommy and looked down at the trembling boy.

His azure eyes held none of the sunshine they had shown under the spotlights, only cold seawater.

To his superhuman senses, Tommy's heartbeat was like that of an insect about to be crushed underfoot.

"You broke the screws." John's tone was calm, devoid of any discernible emotion.

"I'm sorry... John, I didn't mean to. I was just so scared of the camera flashes..."

Tommy pleaded through his tears, not even daring to look up into John's eyes.

John fell silent for a moment.

He recalled Lynn's teachings and those theories about taming and faith.

He slowly crouched down, reached out, and gently patted Tommy's trembling shoulder.

"It's all right, Tommy."

John's voice grew gentle again, carrying an irresistible forgiveness. "We're a team. When you make a mistake, I'll take the fall for you. But there's no second free pardon in this world. Do you understand?"

Tommy jerked his head up and looked at John through tear-filled eyes, as though looking at a savior. "I understand! I swear, John, I'll do exactly what you say from now on. Whatever you tell me to do, I'll do it!"

"Good. Dry your tears. There are plenty of cameras waiting for us outside." John withdrew his hand, turned, and headed for the door.

The moment his back was turned to Tommy, the corners of John's mouth curved in satisfaction.

With just one sentence and one gesture, he had bought the boy's soul outright.

That evening, at the Long Island Estate.

Upon returning to the estate, John immediately cast off the lofty, flawless facade he had worn during the day.

He changed into lounge clothes printed with cartoon characters and sat cross-legged on the thick living room carpet, eating little cookies Lynn had baked himself while tussling with Buddy the golden retriever over a rubber toy, his laughter ringing clear.

"You handled things beautifully on set today."

Lynn came over with two cups of hot cocoa and set one on the small coffee table in front of John.

John immediately dropped the toy and tilted his face up toward Lynn, his eyes shining with anticipation of praise. "That Tommy kid was so stupid, but I didn't punish him. Lynn, did you see? The way he looks at me now is just like the way Buddy looks at a bone."

"I saw. You did it flawlessly."

Lynn settled into the sofa and ruffled John's blond hair. "Remember this feeling, John."

"If you use violence to make people submit, they'll always harbor the seeds of resistance."

"But if you tame them with forgiveness and hope, they'll put collars on themselves and be eternally grateful to you."

"I'll remember all of it."

John took a large gulp of hot cocoa, leaving a ring of white milk foam on his lips.

In this world, Lynn's opinion was the only one he cared about.

As long as Lynn was satisfied, those ordinary people and superpowered brats outside were nothing more than toys he could manipulate however he pleased.

Lynn sat behind his large desk, leafing through the ratings report that had just arrived.

The viewing figures for the third episode of "Tomorrow's Stars Pioneer Camp" had once again broken the previous week's record.

Not only that, sales of Vought International's tie-in merchandise were also soaring at a frenzied pace.

Children's lunch boxes bearing John's smiling face had sold out in supermarkets across America, while the little light-up Annie dolls had become a particular favorite among young girls.

The office door opened, and Madelyn walked in, beaming.

"Look at these financial reports, Lynn. You're practically a money printer that lays golden eggs."

Madelyn sat down in the chair opposite Lynn without ceremony and slapped a new proposal onto his desk. "The board met last night and decided to give you another thirty million in funding to expand the Vanguard Camp's training facilities and living quarters."

"Thank President Edgar for me."

Lynn closed the report and took a sip of the black coffee beside him. "The increased budget is a good thing, but I hope the company's senior management won't casually meddle in the Vanguard Camp. Those children are at a critical stage in building trust right now. I don't want outsiders disrupting their rhythm."

Madelyn shrugged and gave a noncommittal smile. "Don't worry. As things stand, even the ever-critical Edgar won't have much to say about any project you're running. After all, you've raised that little monster very well."

She leaned closer and lowered her voice. "Honestly, Lynn, sometimes watching that perfect John on television gives me the creeps. He acts far too much like a genuine saint."

"He's only learned how to be a god everyone is happy with."

Lynn replied mildly.