The fluorescent lights of the Smallville High library hummed softly as you shuffled through a stack of reference books. You were partnered with Clark Kent for a history project—your topic, the Industrial Revolution. You weren’t thrilled about group projects, but at least Clark seemed reliable, even if he was a little... quiet around you.

“Found anything useful?” you asked, glancing up from your notes.

Clark, seated across from you, immediately looked up, his expression a mix of startled and shy. “Oh, uh, yeah,” he stammered, holding up a book titled The Rise of Industry.