Chapter 35

Mike was stunned as the system's prompt echoed in his mind.

The system, silent for three long years, had finally stirred again. His heart skipped a beat as he glanced over at the two children.

"No way," he muttered under his breath.

When their mother had spoken their names, Mike had already felt a vague premonition. Now, with the system chiming in, his suspicions grew stronger.

He quickly accessed the system interface to confirm his thoughts.

Sure enough, the display had changed:

Host: Mike Kent

Novice Gift: Assassin Time

Ability: Memory Fantasy Materialization

Current Ability Level: LV1

Current Upgrade Progress: 54%

Son: Clark Kent (Kryptonian)

Son: Eric Kent (Mutant, not awakened)

Son: Charles Kent (Mutant, not awakened)

Mike stared at the screen in disbelief.

Eric... Charles...

Those names tugged at something deep in his memory. Could they be the same individuals he recalled? If so, how were they twin brothers in this life? It seemed too coincidental otherwise. Mike shook his head, unable to fully grasp the situation.

He gazed helplessly at the two newborns, but before he could dwell any further, the doctor and nurse entered the room.

"Take care of yourself!" the nurse said kindly.

"My condolences," the doctor added, offering a sympathetic nod.

Mike sighed. "…Thanks."

After spending some time in the hospital and ensuring the babies were under proper care, Mike buried Olivia in the town's cemetery, just before Clark's school day ended. The rain was pouring down heavily, as if the skies themselves mourned her loss.

The tombstone was simple, bearing only Olivia's name. There was no picture, no elaborate inscription—just a quiet, sombre farewell. Mike stood in front of the grave for a long while, silently speaking to her memory. His lips moved, but the words were lost in the downpour. After a time, he turned and walked away.

Mike picked up Clark from his kindergarten, and together they drove to the hospital.

"Dad, where are we going?" Clark asked curiously, noting the unfamiliar route.

Mike gave a secretive smile. "I'm taking you to meet two new people. So, how was your first day at school? Did you like it? Made any new friends?"

Clark grinned with excitement. "I did! There were so many kids my age. I think I could punch all of them!"

Mike raised an eyebrow. "Punch? Did you hit someone?"

Clark shook his head quickly, looking horrified. "No, no! I was just saying it like that."

"How was your teacher? Do you like her?" Mike asked, changing the subject.

"I do!" Clark nodded vigorously before adding, "Dad, could you marry my teacher?"

"…What?" Mike blinked in confusion. "Why?"

"Because you don't have a wife yet! And I'm worried about you!"

Mike's mouth twitched at his son's straightforwardness. "Do I look like someone who can't find a wife?"

Clark thought for a moment, then rolled his eyes playfully. "Yep!"

"You little brat!" Mike laughed, pretending to be angry. "When we get home, I'm going to spank you."

Clark giggled, sticking his tongue out before looking out the window. His smile quickly faded as he noticed where they were heading. "Dad… why are we going to the hospital?"

Mike gave a mock-evil laugh. "Heh, what do you think?"

Clark's face paled instantly. "I don't want a injection!" he whined.

Mike chuckled, parking the car and hoisting his son up. "This isn't up to you, buddy."

Clark wriggled in protest, but Mike easily carried him into the hospital. Despite Clark's good health—never getting sick or needing injections—the sight of other kids crying during shots had made him terrified of hospitals.

As they entered the hospital, Clark peered around nervously. His anxiety evaporated, however, when they entered a ward and he spotted the two tiny babies sleeping in a crib.

"Dad, who are they?" Clark asked, wide-eyed.

Mike smiled softly. "From today, they're your brothers."

Clark's eyes lit up, and he let out a gleeful cheer. But Mike quickly shushed him, and Clark covered his mouth, whispering excitedly, "Can we take them home now?"

"Not just yet. We need to wait a few more days."

Clark nodded, watching the babies intently. He spent the rest of the hospital visit glued to the crib, staring at his new brothers with fascination.

The next few days passed quietly, with Mike preparing rooms for the two newborns. It wasn't until Mike finally brought Eric and Charles home that the real chaos began.

It was a Sunday, and Clark was home for the weekend. Mike placed the two babies in their nursery and told Clark to keep an eye on them while he took care of something downstairs.

Bob had called earlier, needing Mike's help with something urgent. After handling the situation and pouring himself a cup of coffee, Mike heard Clark scream from upstairs.

"Dad! Come quick!"

Mike strolled upstairs calmly, coffee in hand. "What's going on?"

"It's disgusting! I think they pooped!" Clark yelled, his voice tinged with panic.

Mike grinned to himself. After dealing with Clark's infancy, he had grown used to such things. "It's just poop!" he called out as he climbed the stairs.

Clark's head popped out from the nursery door, his face scrunched up in horror. "Dad, it's really gross!"

Mike chuckled, patting Clark on the head as he entered the room. But the sight that greeted him made him stop in his tracks.

Both babies were wailing, their bodies covered in golden... something.

Mike's eyes widened as he turned to Clark, who looked guilty. "Why did you take their diapers off?"

Clark pinched his nose and replied defensively, "They were crying! I wanted to see why!"

Mike shook his head, setting his coffee aside. "Go fetch me a basin of warm water."

Clark bolted out of the room, and Mike grabbed some tissues to begin cleaning the babies. Once Clark returned with the water, they worked together to wash the little troublemakers.

"All clean!" Clark beamed, proud of their handiwork.

Mike smiled, holding up two fresh diapers. "Now, let's get them changed—"

SPLASH

Before he could finish his sentence, both babies sprayed him and Clark with two streams of warm liquid.

Mike froze, blinking in disbelief, while Clark let out a horrified scream and ran to the bathroom.

Mike shook his head, wiping his face with a tissue. "It's okay," he muttered, "it gets easier with practice."

He looked at the two babies and smiled, despite the chaos. "You little troublemakers."

And so began three years of daily adventures.

By the time Eric and Charles were three, Clark had turned six. The twins were far more mischievous than Clark had ever been at their age, keeping Mike on his toes. But they were growing, and little by little, they were becoming more manageable.

"I can't wait to send you both to kindergarten next month!" Mike sighed one day, watching the brothers wrestle in the living room.

Just as he was about to break up their latest fight, the phone rang.

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