"What? You're going to Gotham?"
His mother, Martha, exclaimed in surprise.
"It's just a four-day book promotion event; it'll be over quickly."
Eric explained to his parents, "Besides, Mr. Anthony from the publishing house will be going to Gotham with me, so I don't think you and Dad need to worry about my safety."
"You've never been this far from home, especially not to a place like Gotham."
His mother, Martha, held Eric's hand. "I know the public safety in that city isn't very good, even worse than Metropolis. Perhaps, Eric, your father could go with you."
"Although I'm also worried about Eric's safety."
Jonathan, however, was more open-minded. "But I believe he can take good care of himself. If I were to follow Eric to Gotham, he would definitely be very uncomfortable. Those who don't dare to take risks have neither mules nor horses; those who take excessive risks lose both mules and horses. We worry about our children's safety, Martha, but we can't overprotect them."
Martha was very displeased with her husband's words. "Eric isn't an adult yet."
"For ordinary people, they might not be adults yet, but for Eric and Clark, their coming-of-age ceremony has long passed."
"When?"
Martha showed a puzzled expression.
"When they secretly tasted whiskey."
Jonathan said with a smile.
"?"
Martha was full of questions. "Eric and Clark once drank alcohol?"
"You see, sometimes things are just like that, Martha. We're afraid of our sons encountering anything unfavorable, afraid they'll get hurt, but sometimes things happen subtly, without us even knowing. If we let go and let them do things, they grow faster than we imagine."
Jonathan patiently told his wife.
Eric, who was nearby, heard his father mention him drinking and his expression subtly changed.
Clark, on the other hand, felt a bit wronged.
He had only sniffed it out of curiosity; he hadn't actually drunk it.
Back in middle school, he was completely tricked by Eric.
After dinner, his parents finally reached an agreement, consenting to Eric going to Gotham with the publishing house staff for the book promotion.
Although Clark was a little envious and wanted to visit Gotham.
But as soon as he thought about his parents' attitude, he immediately gave up.
Eric sat at the dining table, gazing at the dark night outside.
The so-called Gotham book promotion event was not fabricated; Metropolis University Press did indeed invite him to participate in the promotion.
However, the promotion location was Metropolis, not Gotham.
Eric proactively suggested changing the promotion location to Gotham, and he would cover the additional expenses.
This action greatly surprised the publishing house staff, but they didn't refuse.
Thus, Eric had a legitimate reason to go to Gotham.
As for taking leave from school, Ms. Aikins would naturally handle it for him.
The next day.
On Eric's first day away from the farm, Clark inexplicably felt unaccustomed.
At breakfast, with Eric not sitting beside him, he felt a bit empty inside.
So much so that at school, he seemed a bit distracted.
"Clark, I remember you saying that Eric doesn't like to be in the public eye. I don't know why he went to Gotham for a book promotion event."
Chloe complained to Clark.
"Generally speaking, that's true."
Clark nodded. "Unless there's a reason that makes him willing to be in the public eye. As for that reason, I'm sorry, Chloe, I don't know yet."
"Are you saying Eric went to Gotham for a reason other than promoting the book?"
"Perhaps."
After replying, Clark turned his gaze to the bustling crowd in the hallway.
"Why is it so lively today?"
"You don't know?"
Pete looked at the banner hanging in the hallway. "Today is Graduation Ring Sale Day. Although we're not graduates, we can pick out a ring we like."
As he spoke, the three walked to the ring stall. Chloe picked out a ring with a ruby embedded on its surface and put it on her hand.
"It looks pretty good. Nothing represents the spirit of our school better than a P. Diddy-style ring."
Chloe examined the ring on her finger and said to Clark, "Clark, maybe you can pick one too. But, spending 350 dollars on something you don't need, your dad might have an opinion."
Clark picked up a ring. "My pocket money is earned by myself, so I think I still have the right to dispose of it."
The moment he put the ruby-embedded ring on his hand, a red energy flowed from his arm to various parts of his body.
His eyes turned a dull blood-red, then disappeared in an instant.
The most primal desires rose from the bottom of his heart.
Violent, selfish, predatory, manipulative, controlling—these traits, contrary to his personality, grew within his body.
"Are you alright, Clark?"
Pete saw Clark's abnormal expression and asked him.
"I'm fine, never been better."
Clark took a deep breath, shook his head, and walked towards Lana at the other end of the hallway.
Pete and Chloe thought Clark was going to say hello to Lana, but they didn't expect him to walk directly towards the punk girl next to Lana.
"Hey, I'm Clark, are you new here? I have to say, your outfit is so cool, cooler than any hot girl I've ever seen!"
Clark's opening words shocked Lana.
Was the person in front of her the honest, shy Clark, and not a seasoned charmer?!
"Jessica, I'm a new transfer student."
The fashionably dressed girl with smoky eye makeup extended her hand to Clark.
"Smallville High School has strict rules about student dress code, perhaps—"
Clark shook her hand. "Our rigid principal will order you to change your clothes."
"I won't change my clothes," the girl said directly.
Clark had an expression that said, 'I totally agree.' "Of course, the school's dress code is super lame, and they love to rigidly tell others what to wear, but they never consider the students more."
"Thanks!"
Jessica smiled at Clark. "Nice to meet you, Clark, you've made quite an impression on me."
After speaking, she turned and left with a confused Lana.
Watching the two leave, Clark's lips curved into a smile.
"This feels really good."
After watching Lana and Jessica leave, his gaze caught Ms. Aikins walking through the hallway, carrying books.
Clark immediately focused his attention on her, smacking his lips.
At this moment, a student playing nearby accidentally bumped into him, who was staring intently at Ms. Aikins.
Clark, with his superhuman reflexes, grabbed the other person's collar, lifted their sturdy body, and slammed them into a locker with a loud "bang."
"You look like you want to cause trouble? Huh?!"
Clark's eyes glowed fiercely as he intimidated the other person.
Clark's behavior not only scared the nearby student but also startled Chloe and Pete.
The two exchanged glances, their eyes filled with disbelief.
Was this Clark?
Why did he suddenly seem like a completely different person?
Was it not Eric, but Clark, who was being mind-controlled by Ms. Aikins?!
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