It's obvious that Krypton-normal Kal-El is already physically superior to almost any Earth-normal human, male or female. This is a great way to wrap up that data with his tension at knowing what's going to happen and his stress from keeping that secret and his struggle to learn English from a book (very difficult to learn a new language that way) without spilling the beans, which is another phrase that he doesn't yet know.
The fact that he's pushing himself to excel at everything he does is natural. Drek will think that Kal is trying to show him up, but it isn't true. I can't imagine the heartbreak that Kal will experience when Krypton is destroyed.
Assuming that Jor-El's computations are correct, of course. Maybe you'll pull a fast one on us and leave Krypton there while Kal thinks it's gone and he's alone for 274,990 words. Then Drek will show up and say, "Hey, buddy, your dad was just kidding! We're all okay. In fact, we're all coming to stay with you."
Nah. You wouldn't be that evil.
Would you?
