11 Returning Home

I flew towards home, but decided to take another sun dip before seeing my parents. I entered the barn, stripped naked and flew towards the sun.

I enjoyed basking in the sun's light for the first time in weeks. I spent an hour outside Earth's orbit in direct light to recharge for the last few weeks of eating at my reserves. Then, I began rushing towards the Sun. I went faster and faster until I reached the distance of Mercury to the Sun. I absorbed the Sun's rays rapidly. I could feel my reserves expanding, and it appears my absorption speed has increased since last time as well.

I waited for several hours at this distance to the Sun, then I faced the other direction from the Sun and waited for several more hours, still confused about the absorption process of Kryptonians and if I need to keep working out each individual cell. My adaptation physiology should evolve much further beyond the typical Kryptonian. I decided to go closer to the Sun this time. I figured I underestimated the ability to adapt so I reached closer until I began feeling the pull of the Sun's gravity. I flew even closer and then stopped.

I began making BowFlex movements continuously with my arms and legs, while withstanding the gravity of the Sun. I adjusted my movements to create diversity in the movements in the hope that my muscles would develop in a holistic manner. I plan to have the Henry Cavill Man of Steel build as I get older, and there's no reason not to start now.

I flew closer until the gravity began to become a little annoying. I stopped flying closer and started doing bicep curls and leg lifts and variations of exercises to exhaust my muscles. I did this for hours, but didn't even begin to feel tired. I meditated while maintaining orbit at the closest point to the Sun that I've reached at this point in time.

Finally deciding that this was enough of a workout and recharge session, I began heading back to Earth at a leisurely rate. Hours passed as I gradually sped up faster and faster until topped out my speed to return to Earth.

Upon my return, I arrived near the barn, put my clothes back on and entered the house. I used my super hearing to monitor the farm hose and heard my parents...uh how should I say this? They were fooling around so I made myself some food while I waited.

When I felt that they were coming downstairs, I yelled, "Mom! Dad! I'm home!"

"Clark!" Martha yelled, running up to me and hugging me. "What are you doing home so early? Not that we're not delighted to see you! We were so worried!"

"I told you not to worry, Mom. I finished early. Get this!" I said excitedly. "It was estimated my training would take 4 years if I spent every summer 24/7 at the fortress using the fortress computer to download information into my brain, but my brain's capacity and capabilities to manage information impressed Jor-El so much that he kept increasing the transfer speed until I finished all the training modules. And I even obtained additional advanced technological data from across the collective 28 galaxies! Now, I'm free from a demanding training schedule for the foreseeable future."

"That's great, Clark. Glad you got that out of the way. What are your plans now?" Jonathan asked.

"Well, I've been thinking that the best way for me to prepare for the future is to finish my schooling as soon as possible. As difficult as it may be, I plan to obtain a bachelor's degree concurrently with my high school diploma. I will use my powers to speed read all the high school materials for all 4 years, then take the Met U entrance exam before the cutoff and start taking college courses this fall. I'll load up on credits each semester, take winterim courses, and summer courses in order to complete my degree possibly even before I get my high school diploma." I described my plans.

"Are you sure you can handle the added responsibilities? Your father and I went to Met U - in fact, we MET at Met U," Martha laughed at her corny joke, "I just don't want you to burn out and be discouraged. It's certainly an ambitious plan, and it's possible to complete it, but is it worth sacrificing all this time? High school is supposed to be a great time in your life. Don't you want to enjoy time with your friends?"

"As much as I'd like to relax and coast through high school, my plans for this world are much greater than my own personal comfort and enjoyment. I'm laying the groundwork for my future, and I need your help for that. Are you guys with me?" I asked.

Jonathan and Martha smiled at each other and Jonathan said, "Of course, son. We'll be with you every step of the way."

"Can either of you contact the principal or superintendent or whatever and tell them my plans? I want to pursue a double-major in journalism and business with a minor in forensic science. Since a lot of the courses are highly unlikely to overlap, it will certainly increase my workload, but if I take as many night classes as possible, I think it's doable." I said.

"Of course! I'll reach out to Principal Kwan tomorrow. I know where he lives, I can stop by with some muffins or something and ask him how to make this easy on you. I'm sure some overly ambitious students have pursued this type of plan in the past and they have a list of the books and other materials you need." Martha said.

"Clark...if you can pull this off, I'll feel less than inadequate," Jonathan said with a smirk, then looked at Martha. "Can you imagine our son getting two degrees while he's in high school?"

"If anyone can do it, Clark can. Considering how fast he can move, he technically has all the time in the world to complete his homework, so we can't really assess this situation like normal parents." Martha said.