DC Universe.
Lorien had only just begun exploring this place.
Smallville, Kansas was a picturesque little town with fresh, clean air. His new neighbors nearby often dropped by his therapy office just to chat.
"Lorien, not many people around here are interested in therapy. I think you should consider moving. What about our school?"
Clark Kent extended the invitation with his usual warmth.
Lorien looked at him blankly. Was Superman really this kind of person? Reality was nothing like what he'd imagined.
He almost wanted to shove something in Clark's mouth—he'd been rambling in his ear for a full half hour, repeating the same things over and over without saying anything meaningful.
"I really think you should give it some thought. Our school would welcome you."
Lorien lazily flipped open a book, his tone indifferent as he replied, "Sorry, not interested."
He didn't lack money, nor did he need a long line of patients. A school might have more people, but that only meant more excuses for someone to come bother him, cutting into his off-hours. That was the last kind of workplace he'd consider.
"My fees are steep. I doubt the school could afford me."
He tossed out a number casually—enough to finally make Clark pause.
Clark scratched the back of his head.
"Didn't realize you were worth that much, Lorien."
"By the way, I've always been curious—Miss Gwen or Miss Wanda, which one's your girlfriend? The neighbors are dying to know."
One question ended, another one followed.
Lorien rolled his eyes. These neighbors really were nosy.
Still, he figured Gwen and Wanda, who had gone out early to socialize, must be dealing with the same nonsense. Since coming to this world, life had been peaceful. This kind of irritation was… well, a sweet sort of trouble.
"Actually, there's something that's been bothering me."
Clark, oblivious to how annoying he was being, pressed on.
He'd wanted to talk to someone for a long time, but his family worried about him too much, and he didn't want to burden them. So he turned to the reliable neighbor instead.
"I'm an alien."
He said it and immediately fixed his gaze on Lorien, eager to see how he'd react.
But Lorien only yawned, showing nothing.
It wasn't that he hadn't reacted—he already knew Clark Kent's identity.
Thanks to the Phoenix Force, he could feel Clark's turmoil: anxious, afraid, but desperate for comfort.
But Lorien wasn't his father. Why should he be the one to console this kid?
He waved his hand. "Alright, it's late. Time for you to head back."
After all, it was nearly the end of his shift.
"It's only four-thirty."
For Clark Kent, that was early. But for him, it was also a delicate hour—especially when he saw Gwen and Wanda walking over hand in hand.
"You little brat, don't mess with our three-person world."
Lorien tossed a book straight at Clark. "Take it. Read it, and make sure you return it when you're done."
Clark lowered his head to glance at the thin book in his hands, then looked up again at Lorien in the distance. After giving Gwen and Wanda a quick greeting, he left, his heart full of confusion.
"Lorien, you just gave that kid a book?"
"Yeah. A book that will help him save the person who matters most."
Lorien couldn't help but smile as he thought about Clark's future.
It wasn't mockery. He simply believed that some things could be changed, that there was no need to carry too much worry.
Gwen and Wanda knew Lorien would never do anything reckless. They trusted him completely—after all, he was omnipotent.
Everything Lorien had done before had only strengthened that belief.
They looked at him.
Lorien was still the same—gentle, with the curve of his lips unchanged, radiating a quiet mystery that stirred hearts.
After being by his side for so long, Gwen and Wanda knew better than anyone how magnetic he truly was.
"Oh—looks like we forgot something," Wanda suddenly exclaimed.
"Right! I almost forgot too," Gwen said, tensing up.
Lorien raised an eyebrow at them, then checked the time. "Whatever it is, tell me when we get home."
It was exactly five o'clock. Time to clock out.
As usual, Lorien murmured, "Check-in."
[Check-in successful. Reward obtained: Withered Branches x3]
Utterly ridiculous.
Forget it. He hadn't been expecting much anyway.
What mattered was that it was quitting time—time to be happy.
Setting aside the absurd reward, Lorien walked home with a spring in his step.
But the moment he got back and saw what Wanda and Gwen had meant by "forgot," his expression fell silent.
"The thing you two forgot… was saving someone?"
He spoke quietly as his gaze fell on the woman lying unconscious on the guest bed, dressed in leather, her life or death uncertain.
"We were going to take her to the hospital," Wanda said, "but then we thought—you're a doctor too..."
"There's a big difference between a psychologist, a surgeon, and a physician."
Lorien gave the woman another look.
Well… she was pretty. No harm in saving her.
"You didn't treat her wounds?"
He extended a finger, checking briefly. The injuries clearly hadn't been cared for.
"We wanted to, but couldn't find the first-aid kit," Gwen admitted, embarrassed. "Besides, didn't we already have plans with you?"
"Even without bandaging, I checked her over. Her willpower's strong. She won't die anytime soon," Wanda said casually.
For people like them, so long as they held a breath, they wouldn't die. What was there to worry about? And from the looks of this girl, she was no ordinary person.
"The mission... I will complete the mission—"
As they stood around discussing, the woman on the bed suddenly muttered.
But it was only unconscious sleep-talking, not true awareness.
"What mission?"
Gwen examined her with curiosity. "Looks like she's got quite a story too."
"Either way, let's give her some water first, then bandage her properly."
Lorien pulled out the medical kit and gestured for Gwen and Wanda to get started.