Outside Metropolitan University, in a nearby western restaurant, Kara and her friends chose to sit by the window outside rather than dining inside.
Metropolitan University, being a prestigious institution, offered good food in its cafeteria, but the prices were undeniably steep. Unlike some countries where university cafeterias are subsidized, many cafeterias here were expensive. Some universities even made it mandatory for freshmen—or worse, all students for four years—to eat in the cafeteria, which was often costlier than eating out.
For example, a hamburger costing only three dollars outside might be priced at five or eight dollars in the cafeteria.
Since Kara was treating her friends, dining in the cafeteria wasn't an option.
Currently, the group consisted of three people, and Kara finally got a good look at Lex Luthor.
Kara couldn't pinpoint why, but she noticed Lex and Clark were not only in the same grade but also assigned to the same dormitory, room "347."
Interestingly, Lex wasn't bald at this age. His hair was thick and deliberately grown past his ears.
Kara kept staring at Lex, wondering what would lead to his iconic baldness in the future.
Feeling self-conscious under the gaze of such a beautiful woman, Lex couldn't help but shift uncomfortably. Kara, who already had experience in the professional world, had a sharp demeanor that made her presence intimidating.
But most striking was how young Lex seemed now.
After spending some time observing him, Kara realized that young Lex wasn't inherently evil. In fact, he exhibited a sense of justice.
The Luthor family was one of Metropolis's wealthiest families, comparable to Gotham's Wayne family.
In the DC world, several prominent business empires existed, such as the Queen family associated with Green Arrow. Even the Wayne family, despite its fame, was just a leading conglomerate in Gotham. In Metropolis, the Luthor family held that position.
Lex, as the heir of the Luthor empire, carried significant responsibility.
During their meal, Lex shared his perspectives on society and class structure. He believed that poverty was largely due to a lack of opportunities for upward mobility, with wealth concentrated in the hands of a few elites.
He spoke passionately about the need for creating a better environment for children born into disadvantaged circumstances, providing them with access to education and opportunities.
Lex expressed his desire to focus on philanthropy after inheriting the family business.
Historically, Lex had been recognized for organizing charity galas and establishing philanthropic institutions.
Kara was reassured by this. She remarked, "Taking from the people and giving back to the people is a noble idea."
Lex pondered her words, finding them deeply inspiring.
If Lex continued on this path, Kara believed he wouldn't corrupt Clark. On the contrary, Lex could become one of Clark's closest friends and greatest allies.
Feeling reassured, Kara left Metropolis. Her main purpose had been to assess Lex and visit her younger cousin, Clark.
After all, she was aware of Lex's potential to become one of Superman's most formidable adversaries in the future.
However, perhaps because of her intervention, Lex and Clark might remain friends. She also insisted that Clark complete his college education, something she believed could make a difference in his life.
Feeling optimistic, Kara bid farewell to Clark and Lex, then drove home.
The weekend offered her a rare day off, and she planned to spend the evening with her adoptive parents, Jonathan and Martha Kent.
Like siblings often do, Kara and Clark shared some amusingly similar habits. For instance, Kara had once promised to visit home during her school breaks but often reneged. Now, Clark seemed to follow the same pattern, choosing to spend his holidays at school rather than returning to Smallville.
Kara wondered how Jonathan and Martha felt about this.
The peaceful days passed uneventfully for about a month.
One night, however, Kara was abruptly awakened by a phone call.
Annoyed by the harsh ringtone, she grabbed her phone, ready to scold the caller. It was Bruce Wayne.
Before she could threaten him for disturbing her sleep, Bruce's urgent tone caught her attention.
"Kara, Jennifer's been hurt," Bruce said.
Kara immediately sat up, alarmed. "What? What happened?" she demanded, her voice sharp with concern.
"It was a car bomb. But don't worry—she sensed something was wrong and avoided serious injury. She's only suffered minor scratches," Bruce explained quickly.
Jennifer, a close friend of Kara's, had been returning home late after working on a case.
Commissioner Gordon and Harvey Bullock had assigned two teams to escort Jennifer, as usual. However, when Jennifer approached her car, she sensed something amiss. Trusting her instincts, she immediately backed away before the car exploded.
The blast's impact sent her flying, leaving her with minor injuries but no life-threatening harm.
Bruce was already at the hospital, ensuring Jennifer's safety and protection.
"Who did it?" Kara asked coldly.
"The Joker," Bruce replied. "A lunatic criminal who calls himself the Joker. If you've been following Gotham's news, you'd know about him."
Unfortunately, Kara wasn't familiar with Gotham's recent developments.
But she didn't need a detailed briefing to recognize the Joker's infamous name.
Narrowing her eyes, Kara ended the call abruptly.
Though Bruce hadn't directly asked for her help, Kara couldn't ignore the situation. Without hesitation, she packed her things and drove to Gotham overnight.
On the way, she called Perry White, her boss at the Daily Planet.
"Perry, I need some time off," Kara stated.
Perry, groggy from sleep, was about to refuse when Kara cut him off.
"Jennifer's been hurt. It was a terrorist attack. I need to be there," Kara said firmly.
Perry hesitated before responding. "And what exactly can you do?"
Kara's tone turned icy. "Perry, why do you think I get exclusive photos of Batman so easily? Or why I know about the Oracle's new battle suit before anyone else? Don't play dumb."
After a pause, Perry relented. "Fine. But bring back something exclusive for the paper, or we'll have to have a serious talk."
Kara chuckled, her laugh like the chiming of silver bells. "Deal."
She hung up and continued her journey to Gotham, ready to face whatever awaited her.