Chapter 2: Crossing Over Again...
If Schiller were to provide a psychological profile of Batman in the comic, his greatest characteristic would not be caution, intelligence, or strategic planning, but rather suspicion.
Batman never fully trusts anyone.
His skepticism has become a way of life, and skepticism and conspiracy theories are ingrained in his very being. The smarter he is, the more doubtful he becomes.
Schiller's response clearly plunged this young Batman into great doubt.
Bruce never thought that anyone could see through his facade. He had great confidence in his disguise. Even Alfred, the butler who raised him since childhood, he believed only knew a part of him, not the entirety.
But this professor, this seemingly ordinary and well-mannered psychology professor, gave him the most unlikely answer, and at the same time, the most accurate and incisive one.
In that instant when he received this answer, Bruce's surging and fiery heart told him that he had indeed been waiting for someone to give him this answer—it was time to begin his revenge.
However, compared to the answer he received, the person who gave him that answer poured cold water on the revenge that had just ignited within Bruce. He didn't believe, he never believed, that anyone could see the devil lurking in his heart, the swarm of shadowy bats.
Schiller, on the other hand, said, "Consultation time is over. I have to go to class. Goodbye, Mr. Wayne."
Schiller believed that Bruce would surely agonize over it for a long time.
If he figured it out, he should quickly transform into Batman and uphold justice. Why bother attending classes? What other classes does Bruce have to attend? Why must he clash with these diligent faculty members?
Schiller believed that Bruce would likely figure it out. Then he would have enough trouble with those gangs and criminal organizations, and Schiller could happily stay at the school, getting paid while slacking off. If necessary, he could fly to Hawaii during vacations.
Schiller had a good reputation at the school because of his big name, but that was all part of the original host's resume. Schiller adhered to the principle of "money talks," starting his lecture as soon as he sat down and disappearing the moment the class bell rang. Office hours for answering questions after class? Non-existent.
He had been like this for the past five days. Fortunately, the original Schiller seemed quite reclusive, having few friends. His appointment as a professor at Gotham University was only a few months old, and he wasn't familiar with the people at the school. Therefore, the time-traveling Schiller hadn't revealed any flaws.
During lunch, Peter sent a message: "Mr. Schiller, everything is going terribly."
Accompanied by a dejected chat emoji, Schiller knew that this chat system wasn't a direct brain-to-brain communication. Only he used the system, while Peter coincidentally met an online friend on the internet, and Charles received messages from educational forums in his spare time.
The system would convert the conversations with these individuals into a format they could accept. For example, Peter communicated through social networking apps, while Charles used knowledge-based forums. If it were someone like Thanos, it might be some form of universal network signal.
So the recipients wouldn't find it abrupt, and the system only ensured that they would respond to Schiller's initial question. The subsequent conversation was up to Schiller himself. Therefore, Schiller's main conversation partner now was the young and naive Spider-Man.
Schiller quickly grabbed his identification, went downstairs, and looked for a car. It didn't make sense to live in such a fancy apartment without a car. In the garage downstairs, he found a fairly new Mercedes with the same key model as his own. He pressed the button and it actually started.
Thanks to Schiller's academic exchanges in New York in his previous life, he followed the navigation in the car and arrived at the Elder Council Hospital, the largest hospital in New York.
As soon as he entered, a receptionist quickly ran over and said, "Dr. Schiller, please hurry over. The joint consultation has already started."
Schiller didn't know what kind of role he had now, but he simply nodded indifferently and went up.
Fortunately, someone guided him, and Schiller made his way to the conference room. When they saw him, the room fell quiet for a moment, then continued with the discussion. Schiller sat in the seat reserved for him and quietly observed.
It seemed that he was quite a famous doctor, ranking among the top in his department. The person sitting across from him was obviously not from the psychiatric department. One of the doctors appeared arrogant as he said, "Indeed, it makes sense to let those self-proclaimed experts take a look first, so they don't act crazy and harass the nurses on the operating table."
Glancing at his name tag, Schiller saw Stephen, Stephen Strange, Doctor Strange. Well, here he was in Marvel again.
Schiller couldn't be bothered with him. Judging by Strange's appearance, the car accident should still be far off. Right now, he was just an annoying selfish person who saw others as beneath him.
Schiller silently reviewed the medical records while Strange watched him disdainfully. It was clear to Strange that Schiller had been drinking the previous day and was late for today's consultation. Strange had a bit of a cleanliness obsession and couldn't stand Schiller's lack of dedication. Moreover, he always thought psychologists were just playing tricks. In short, Strange was extremely disgusted with Schiller.
During the meeting, he kept finding fault with Schiller, but Schiller remained indifferent and ignored him completely. After the meeting, Strange even intentionally bumped into him.
Schiller was annoyed by his behavior, but he figured that in the end, Strange would learn his lesson. It probably wouldn't be long before something bad happened to him. If he wasn't so annoying, Schiller might have given him a reminder. But for now, Strange would have to face the consequences on his own.
Just as the consultation ended, Schiller checked his mobile phone and received a call. The voice on the other end was pleasant but anxious. She asked, "Dr. Schiller, has your consultation ended? Can you come to Stark Tower? Tony is not doing well..."
Tony Stark?
When was he supposed to visit? Was Iron Man kidnapped, or has he already returned?
Schiller didn't even have time to check the materials online because a Stark company car was already waiting downstairs at the hospital. He quickly got into the car, and a beautiful woman sat in the passenger seat, with a professional look about her. She said, "Ever since Tony returned, you know, during the last diagnosis, he started having inexplicable mood swings and engaging in crazy behaviors. I heard him crying last night..."
"Miss Pepper, are you alright?" Schiller asked tentatively. Pepper covered her eyes and said, "I'm sorry, but please make sure to be attentive during this treatment."
Schiller understood. Iron Man must have returned after being kidnapped, and he learned that his company's weapons had been used in unjust wars. He probably came in as a psychologist because Pepper was too concerned about Stark's mental struggle.