"Does it matter, Clark?"
Eric's expression was calm. "It's over, so don't dwell on the so-called details. It won't bring you any positive returns, neither emotionally nor practically."
Clark frowned slightly. "No matter how big a mistake Jerome made, Eric, he should still be handed over to the law for judgment."
"Theoretically, that's correct, but things are never that simple, Clark. The French writer Anatole France once said: 'The law, in its majestic equality, forbids rich and poor alike to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal bread.' But look at the real world we live in, it's truly magically adorable."
Eric continued to 'argue' with Clark in his own way.
"Besides, if I didn't deal with him, then Lana would have been hurt. If it were you, Clark, what would you do?"
Hearing Eric mention Lana, Clark's expression changed slightly.
"You mean Jerome tried to hurt Lana before?"
He suddenly remembered Lana thanking Eric just now.
Could it be that Lana thanked Eric because of this?
A moment of realization brought a few doubts to Clark's mind.
Did he really misunderstand Eric?
Eric had previously hinted to Chloe that Jerome was the culprit, and now he had saved Lana.
It seemed Eric wasn't as bad as he had imagined.
"You can ask Lana. I think the intimacy between you two, where you talk about everything, must surpass ours."
After Eric finished speaking, he pointed to the mountain of books and papers piled on his desk. "I still have some things to sort out. If you have nothing else, Clark, you can leave."
Clark rubbed his nose, wanting to say something,
but seeing Eric turn his back and sit down, he swallowed the words he wanted to say.
Before leaving, he glanced at the strange painting on the wall.
Lana said these paintings were full of artistic flair, so why did he feel nothing?
Could it be that he really had no artistic talent?!
A sense of dejection rose in Clark's heart.
"Wait, Clark!"
Clark, who was just about to leave, was suddenly called by Eric.
"?"
"This thing is useless in my hands. Maybe you need it more than I do. Take it!"
As Eric spoke, he handed him a small lead box.
"What is this?"
Clark took the lead box in confusion.
"Open it and see."
Clark, without suspicion, slowly opened the lead box.
A dazzling green light shone from the box!
At the same time, his body seemed to receive some kind of signal, and a feeling of weakness, even sharp pain, surged through him.
"This is? Lana's necklace!"
Looking at the green stone decorated as a necklace, Clark ignored his body's unusual reaction and showed an extremely surprised expression.
He had been weakened by Whitney using this necklace, which was why he was tied to the cross.
He had thought Eric had casually thrown the necklace away when he saved him, but he didn't expect him to still have it.
"Why?"
"Why give it to you now?"
Eric's tone still seemed emotionless. "Seeing your dating life going nowhere, because I can't tolerate overly foolish people around me, otherwise I'll catch a virus called 'stupidity,' so I'm giving you the necklace. Isn't that a reason?!"
"…"
Listening to Eric's sharp tongue, Clark wasn't annoyed as he had been before.
After closing the lead box, a warm current flowed through him, and he thanked Eric:
"Even if the reason is truly like that, Eric, thank you anyway!"
After Clark, whose heart was filled with joy, left, Eric put down his pen and stood up to look out the window.
Giving the lead box to Clark wasn't entirely about helping him with his dating.
Rather, it was an emergency avoidance measure taken after he increasingly felt that Lana might be developing curiosity about him.
If a woman like Lana became curious, it would definitely be a very dangerous thing.
Regardless of whether curiosity could turn into affection, the mere entanglement between her and Clark was already giving him a headache, and he wanted to avoid it at all costs.
Women, such beings, were truly a species that gave him a headache.
Thursday.
Four days after the "Homecoming Dance," the school finally returned to normal operation.
"So, Clark, can you tell me why Eric's eyes shoot lasers?"
Pete, with his arm around Clark's shoulder, asked curiously, "I once saw a comic where the protagonist could shoot lasers, but he could only install miniature laser devices on his wrists. Shooting lasers from the wrist compared to shooting lasers from the eyes is way lamer!"
Chloe, holding a coffee cup, said, "Arthur Parks? Laser Man, that's his name, right, Pete?"
"I thought you only paid attention to news headlines, Chloe. I didn't realize you were interested in comics."
Pete felt like he was getting to know Chloe anew.
"In fact, I'm not interested in comics, especially superhero comics. I just came across this guy while researching. Don't you think these guys in strange costumes are very odd?"
Chloe complained mercilessly.
"I feel offended."
Pete was annoyed that his hobby was being looked down upon.
"Hey! Clark!"
Just as he was about to continue his verbal sparring with Chloe, a voice interrupted him.
The three looked in the direction of the voice and saw it was Coach Watt of the football team.
Coach Watt had a short but stocky build and a fiery temper, a presence both respected and feared by the football players.
However, when facing non-football players, he usually reined in his fiery temper, so he had a good reputation among the students.
"Coach Watt."
Clark quickly greeted him.
Coach Watt's face wasn't looking good, and Clark could guess why.
The football team suffered heavy losses at the Homecoming Dance, which was, of course, unacceptable to Coach Watt, who aimed to win the championship this year.
"I heard Eric mention that Clark's arm strength is even stronger than his. I saw the video of your tryout before; your technique is lacking, but your arm strength is amazing! If you could join our football team, Clark, it would definitely be a strong addition to the team!"
Coach Watt came straight to the point, recruiting Clark.
"I need to help out on the farm, so I'm afraid I don't have time…"
Although he was very tempted, Clark knew his father's attitude towards him joining the football team, so he was deeply moved but refused.
"Your father would rather you be on the field than on the farm. I know your father, Jonathan Kent, he was the most talented player I ever coached. This is a family trait. Clark, don't waste your talent on the farm and with tractors!"
Coach Watt patted Clark's shoulder, encouraging him.
Clark hesitated for a moment, wanting to refuse.
But then he suddenly remembered Lana and Eric's conversation in the room.
Lana was captivated by Eric's paintings. If he became a key player on the football team, he would also have the ability to impress Lana.
And Lana was also the captain of the cheerleading squad…
"I'm willing to join the team, Coach Watt."