Chapter 20 (edited)

In the restroom, Kara frantically absorbed the contents of the five advanced magic books that had suddenly been imprinted in her mind.

If the first book was merely an introduction to magic, these five books were nothing less than advanced, high-level magical treatises.

What many people might not know is that Kryptonians are not resistant to magic by nature, nor do they reject magical attributes. This means that if Kryptonians ever come into contact with magic, they can absolutely learn and master it.

In fact, Kryptonians might even excel due to their superior physical resilience and mental fortitude. The catch is having the opportunity to acquire this knowledge in the first place.

It's a common misconception that Superman's power is purely physical and that his magic resistance is non-existent.

This notion is flawed. Take, for example, the honey badger, a creature with incredible poison resistance. Despite the venom of the deadliest snakes, it not only survives but can continue feasting after a short recovery.

Similarly, Superman has often been affected by magic in various comics, but it typically incapacitates him only temporarily. He eventually recovers and regains full strength.

Additionally, consider Superman's confrontations with Wonder Woman. While most are entirely subdued by the Lasso of Truth, Superman merely experiences a reduction in strength. There's even an instance where Superman uses the lasso himself to bring Wonder Woman back from a corrupted state.

This clearly demonstrates that Kryptonians aren't utterly defenseless against magic. They possess a degree of resilience, even if they lack inherent magical abilities.

As for the infamous troublemaker from the Fifth Dimension, their powers defy logic. They can alter reality itself, manifest objects from thin air, and bend the rules of existence without explanation—a level of ability akin to creators of multiverses.

But Kara dismissed such concerns for now. Instead, she focused on mastering the content of the magical books. She memorized every spell, rune, and principle in seconds, though she planned to study them thoroughly later.

Once she absorbed the knowledge, the five books in her hands spontaneously ignited, reducing themselves to ash.

This self-destruction was intentional, as evidenced by the echoing words of the necromancer Shazam in her mind:

"If you choose to burn the books after reading them, their true knowledge will reveal itself. If you hoard them, you will only retain basic information."

"You didn't disappoint me. If you ever wish to inherit my power, call my name to return to this space. I will always be here, waiting for you."

The necromancer seemed to hold Kara in high regard.

Kara, however, simply smiled and shook her head. "I'm good. These techniques are enough for me."

Her true strength lay in her Kryptonian bloodline. As long as she continued to soak up the sun's rays, she would grow exponentially stronger.

She didn't need magic as her primary power source—only as a defense against potential magical threats.

A sudden knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. The familiar voices of Jennifer and Dani called out, "Kara? Are you okay? We're almost at the station!"

Realizing they were concerned about her extended absence, Kara opened the door and smiled. "Sorry! I've been a bit constipated lately, so it took a while. Are we nearly there?"

Jennifer and Dani wrinkled their noses in exaggerated disgust.

Kara laughed, waving a hand in mock innocence. "Relax, I washed my hands!"

Jennifer retreated quickly, muttering, "Let's just go sit down. We'll be at the station soon."

Kara lingered behind, her thoughts returning to the magic books. They contained intriguing insights, and she knew she'd eventually put them to good use.

In a brief vision, Kara glimpsed a possible future: the Rock of Eternity in crisis, the necromancer Shazam disintegrating into dust, and the sealed Seven Deadly Sins escaping to wreak havoc on the world. Even Mr. Mind, the meditating worm, would break free.

Kara realized that if this vision came to pass, she might have to intervene. Despite her initial reluctance to accept the necromancer's legacy, she knew she couldn't ignore a threat of this magnitude.

"Fine," she thought with a sigh. "If it comes to that, I'll handle it."

Returning to her seat, Kara rejoined her friends, and their cheerful chatter filled the compartment once more.

Not long after, their train reached Metropolis.

The bustling city stretched before them, its grandeur dwarfing the quiet charm of their hometown. As they explored, the girls marveled at the vibrant commercial streets, visited shops filled with dazzling merchandise, and even stopped at a massive cinema showcasing an impressive variety of films.

Their day culminated at the amusement park, though Kara discovered she had little interest in roller coasters or thrill rides.

Inwardly, she mused, "Metropolis is impressive, but I'm definitely not heading to Gotham City. Unless the pay is ridiculous—then we'll talk."

For now, Kara immersed herself in the joys of the moment, cherishing the company of her friends and the wonder of the sprawling cityscape.