SUPERMAN: THE MAN OF STEEL

After class, the students were preparing to head to the training hall, but Ben was getting ready to slip away.

Over the past seven days, he had gone to the training hall and participated in sessions, but for some reason, even with his Kryptonian bloodline, training had no effect whatsoever…

Not a single attribute point increased!

It had to be said—the Kryptonian bloodline was truly bizarre.

Only sunlight was effective!

No wonder everyone thought it was a useless talent.

Since training was useless for him, Ben saw no reason to waste his time.

Starting from two days ago, while his classmates trained, he would quietly return to his dormitory for a nice, long nap…

But this time, he was caught red-handed by Adore.

"Ben! Everyone is heading to training. Where are you going?"

Adore's voice drew the attention of many students.

Being caught in the act, Ben felt a headache coming on. He quickly made up an excuse, "Uh… my stomach isn't feeling well. I need to go to the toilet."

Adore's expression darkened as he grabbed Ben's shoulder and pulled him aside.

"Ben, are you planning to give up on yourself?"

"Uh… This…"

Ben didn't know how to respond.

Training was useless for him. He could simply bask in the sun, and his attributes would skyrocket—so why should he put in unnecessary effort?

"Think about your parents. Think about those who care about you. They don't want to see you wasting your potential like this…"

Adore had already switched into full lecture mode.

"Go train with everyone else. Even if your attributes don't increase, you can at least learn some combat techniques. The more skills you have, the greater your chances of survival in the Spirit Realm! If you want to make it back home alive, you must give it your all. Understand? If you don't know something, ask me!"

Hearing these words, Ben felt slightly touched.

Adore, despite his strict demeanor, truly cared about every student.

However, there were some secrets Ben simply couldn't reveal yet.

So he remained silent.

Seeing Ben's long silence, disappointment flickered in Adore's eyes.

In the end, he sighed.

"If you really want to give up on yourself, I won't stop you."

With those parting words, Adore turned and left.

The students were still waiting for him.

Training wasn't just about working hard—it required professional guidance. Overtraining or incorrect methods could have serious consequences.

As the instructor for Class B, Adore was responsible for ensuring each student found the right training regimen.

Watching Adore leave with the others, Ben hesitated but ultimately chose not to follow.

It was better for Adore to give up on him. If no one paid attention to him, he could act more freely.

"Should I just drop out of school?"

The thought crossed Ben's mind.

He didn't want to expose his secret yet, but he also wasn't willing to miss out on the high rewards in the Spirit Realm.

Dropping out wasn't a small decision, so he needed to think it through.

…

Adore glanced back and saw that Ben still hadn't joined them. He sighed helplessly.

Ben had made his choice. As a teacher, there was only so much he could do.

Just then, another voice called out.

"Teacher Adore!"

Turning around, Adore saw Teacher Aryan from Class A leading his students toward the training hall.

"Teacher Aryan," Adore greeted, his tone carrying a hint of respect.

Aryan glanced at the lone figure of Ben in the distance.

"Teacher Adore, what's going on with that student? Why isn't he with you?"

Adore sighed. "That kid has given up on himself."

A flicker of interest appeared in Aryan's eyes.

"His name is Ben, right?"

"Yes," Adore confirmed.

His gaze swept over the students in Class A, landing on the strikingly beautiful Clara.

"Speaking of which, my student giving up has a lot to do with your student, Clara!"

A week was enough for rumors to spread across campus.

The male and female leads of that widely discussed national incident had enrolled at Chicago University, and the news was no longer a secret.

Even netizens had caught wind of it.

"Oh?" Aryan chuckled, not taking Adore's words seriously.

After exchanging a few more words, the two teachers parted ways.

…

Meanwhile, Ben watched Adore disappear before heading off campus.

More than an hour later…

He stepped out of the Sunbathing Experience Hall with a satisfied smile.

Passersby saw his expression and then glanced at the establishment, their minds wandering.

Wait… is this place offering some kind of special massage services?

I might have to check it out next time!

Unaware of the misunderstandings he had caused, Ben flagged down an unmanned taxi and climbed in.

As the vehicle sped along, he opened his attribute panel.

Race: Human

Constitution: 130

Spirit: 47

Strength: 130

Agility: 130

Talent: Kryptonian Bloodline

Spiritual Energy Points: 0

It had been twelve days since he acquired the Great Superman physique.

And in just twelve days, his stats had skyrocketed!

However…

Ben glanced at his bank balance and frowned.

When he first arrived at Chicago University, his parents had transferred ten thousand dollars into his account.

Now, only twelve days later, he had already spent four thousand!

Aside from a few hundred spent on meals, nearly all of it had gone to the Sunbathing Experience Hall and daily transportation.

I need to find a way to make money.

It'd be best to buy a sunbathing machine myself!

The daily back-and-forth travel wasn't just expensive—it was inconvenient.

…

The taxi pulled up to the university entrance.

Ben paid and stepped out, only to spot someone familiar waiting for him.

It was Clara!

She seemed to have been waiting specifically for him.

"Hmm? Clara, what are you doing here?" Ben asked, feigning ignorance.

The girl got straight to the point.

"I'm waiting for you."

"Oh? What's up?"

"I heard you're not even attending training anymore?"

Ben immediately understood why she was here.

He let out a helpless sigh. "Yeah."

He expected her to lecture him.

Instead, Clara simply said, "I'm not here to convince you otherwise. I just want you to team up with me in the Spirit Realm."

She regretted taking Ben's Flame-Flame Fruit back then. She felt that if she hadn't, maybe he wouldn't have lost his motivation.

Ben was stunned.

He hadn't expected this.

At first, he wanted to refuse. But then a thought crossed his mind…

"You really want to team up with me? Aren't you afraid I'll drag you down?" he asked.

Clara nodded firmly.

"Yes. Even if you drag me down, I'm willing to take that risk. I owe you this."

Ben frowned and immediately refuted, "Don't act like you owe me. We exchanged opportunities fairly. Neither of us owes the other anything. If you keep thinking like that, then forget about teaming up."

Ben wasn't stupid.

By clarifying their past exchange, he ensured that Clara wouldn't hold any grudges against him later—especially once she realized the true power of his Kryptonian bloodline.

Clara didn't dwell on his reasoning.

She was just happy Ben had agreed.

"Alright. We don't owe each other anything," she said with a smile.

Team-up confirmed.