Chapter 5 (edited)

Many people find it hard to imagine, but in fact, it is terrifying and uncomfortable when the senses are infinitely magnified.

It was also because Kara hadn't adapted yet, and she couldn't control it freely at first. Unable to manage her senses, she heard every sound within a radius of 100 meters, which overwhelmed her.

It caused her so much pain that she could even hear the fights between insects—a few ants tearing at a caterpillar, a mouse gnawing on crops, and another mouse catching a butterfly for its meal.

For ordinary people, these sounds might seem insignificant, but for Kara, they were unnervingly vivid and constant.

Her vision was another challenge. Kara often saw through objects or perceived microscopic details without meaning to. Fortunately, she realized she could control her heat vision; otherwise, she would have been a dangerously unstable laser gun.

Though Kara understood the nature of her emerging powers and refrained from panicking, learning to control them was still a daunting task.

But she couldn't stay like this forever, could she?

"Hey, Kara," Jonathan and Martha hadn't left her side. They were startled by Kara's accidental burst of heat vision, evidenced by the still-smoking pit nearby, but their concern outweighed their fear.

Jonathan squatted down beside Kara, who was crouched on the ground, and gently patted her back. He didn't ask her what was wrong but instead worked to calm her emotions. "I don't know what's happening to you, but try focusing on the things you want to see and hear. Concentrate your mind," he encouraged.

The Kent couple might seem like simple farmers, but their wisdom had guided Superman through his greatest struggles.

Kara looked up at Jonathan's reassuring face and nodded. "I'll try," she said, though her voice was much louder than intended due to her heightened hearing.

Jonathan winced at the volume but remained patient.

Following his suggestion, Kara closed her eyes and focused on calming her racing thoughts and emotions.

Surprisingly, Jonathan's advice worked. Kara slowly reduced the reach of her super hearing—first to tens of meters, then to just her immediate surroundings, until she could selectively decide what to hear.

When Kara opened her eyes again, she discovered she could now control her super vision. No longer did she involuntarily see through her adoptive parents' physical forms, their skeletons or organs laid bare.

Kara sighed in relief and leaned back, inadvertently falling into Martha's arms. Martha caught her gently, offering a comforting embrace.

Jonathan stood up, smiling in relief as he watched Kara regain her composure.

Due to Kara's sudden awakening of her powers, the spaceships weren't moved to the barn that morning as planned. The day passed quickly, and Martha decided to postpone the task until after lunch.

Meanwhile, baby Clark's cries filled the air once again; he was hungry. As a newborn, he couldn't eat much in one sitting and needed frequent feedings.

Lunch was simple—a farm-style soup and vegetables. To Kara's surprise, there was rice on the table. While rice wasn't a staple food in Smallville, it occasionally appeared as a side dish.

Kara enjoyed the meal, savoring the food with gratitude.

"I'll drive into town this afternoon to pick up some groceries," Martha announced, her voice warm and kind. "I'll make something special for dinner."

It was clear the Kents lived modestly, rarely indulging in luxurious meals, but Martha seemed eager to treat Kara.

At the same time, she glanced at Kara's clothes and said, "I should also get you some new clothes."

Kara looked down at her attire—her Kryptonian clothing, distinctly alien in design. It was far too conspicuous.

Reluctantly, Kara agreed. Her heart warmed at Martha's kindness, realizing she'd been fortunate to land in such a loving home.

The rest of the day continued smoothly. Kara helped Jonathan move the spaceships into the barn. With her newfound strength, she lifted the heavy crafts effortlessly, surprising her adoptive parents once again.

The Kents marveled at her power, watching in awe as she carried loads that far exceeded the weight of a car.

Once the spaceships were safely hidden under tarps, Martha handed Kara a spare dress. Though old-fashioned in style, it was clean and well-kept. Martha also tied Kara's hair into a neat ponytail, keeping it out of her face.

"You don't have to buy me anything," Kara said softly, feeling awkward. She didn't want to take advantage of the Kents' generosity.

But Martha placed a gentle hand on Kara's shoulder. "You're a blessing to us, Kara," she said. "From now on, this is your home. We might not be your biological parents, but we'll do our best to care for you. So, don't feel like you're imposing."

Kara's heart swelled with emotion, and she realized how lucky she was to have found such a kind family.

In some versions of Superman's story, his spaceship landed in Metropolis instead of Smallville, and he grew up imprisoned and deprived of sunlight. Those versions ended tragically.

Kara silently thanked the stars that her fate was different.