Chapter 58: The World of Caution

Chapter 58: The World of Caution

"Wait a moment. Please take this report to Mrs. Felton in the administration office. Of course, matters related to the club can be organized after the final exams. I believe the students have little spare time for such things right now," said Evans as he nodded while holding a stack of documents.

Evans continued, "Indeed, almost everyone is diligently studying. Even those who had a history of skipping classes have been frequenting the library lately."

Schiller shuffled through some papers on his desk and then handed Evans another stack, saying, "While I told you all that the entire book is important, I think it's a dream for you to memorize the entire book at your current level. This covers the materials for the upcoming paper, so make sure they read it promptly."

Just as they were discussing this, Bruce knocked on the door. Evans said, "I won't disturb you any longer, Professor. I'll get everything arranged as soon as possible."

Once Bruce entered, he casually found a chair to sit in. Schiller, while tidying up the teaching materials on his desk, asked him, "Have you finished your revisions?"

"Of course, it wasn't that much," Bruce replied, feeling rather proud of his intelligence and memory.

"You better make sure you pass your paper, or I'll call your butler... what's his name again?" Schiller asked.

"Um, Alfred, Professor. My butler's name is Alfred."

"Oh, right. If you don't pass this exam, I'll call your butler Alfred," Schiller said with a touch of humor.

Bruce fell silent for a moment and then said, "Okay, you'd better give me some more materials..."

He had a subtle feeling that Schiller's casual attitude about "calling parents" made him feel like a kid being treated as such. He felt a bit indignant, but as he imagined the scenario, Bruce thought it would be better to go back and study the book some more.

"What are your plans for the holidays?" Schiller asked.

"I have a lot to do, as you know. What about you?"

"The chief physician at Arkham Asylum called me yesterday. We are old friends, and they are overwhelmed with work over there. He invited me to help out, and I plan to take two students along for an internship."

"Oh? Who are you planning to take?"

"I've already spoken to Falcone. Evans is definitely going; his grades are quite impressive, and he's now the top student in the class. As for the other one, I haven't decided yet."

Bruce was about to say something when Schiller interjected, "But one thing's for sure, it won't be you. Your grades are too rotten."

Bruce shrugged and said, "The situation at the Eastern Pier hasn't settled down yet, and without the Edward family, there's been some chaos there. I've been busy in the evenings lately, and so has Gordon."

"I see, your busy evenings probably involve more than just your hero work. How's that elusive cat burglar doing?"

Bruce replied, "Lately, I've been busy only with my other half's career. Selina's good friend Maggie hasn't been feeling well; she hasn't been out."

"But..." Bruce chuckled and continued, "our righteous lawyer, Mr. Harvey, seems to be making some moves."

Schiller raised an eyebrow, "He's falling for a Gotham girl? That's quite rare. Who has such great charm?"

"Christine, it's Christine."

He glanced at his finger; the ring was quite plain, a silver-gray band adorned with a few wavy patterns. It didn't appear particularly extraordinary, except that it was worn on his ring finger.

"So, how do I use this power?" Schiller asked symbiote.

"Just think about it in your mind," came the response.

Schiller closed his eyes, concentrating. Soon, within the pitch-black void, a grey mist formed. Gradually expanding, a moment later, his consciousness appeared on an island shrouded in the grey mist.

The island wasn't large, and from his vantage point, he could see it in its entirety. Schiller controlled his view as it moved towards the edge of the island and peered downward.

Below the island lay an endless, colossal city.

The island and the city were still enveloped in layers of hazy grey mist. The city was unbelievably vast, and its buildings had eerie, indistinct shapes. Occasionally, enormous creatures with unclear forms could be seen traversing the city.

This was an isolated island floating above the colossal city.

Schiller began to recall the world within the Green Lantern's ring. In the comics, the Green Lantern ring contained an independent world. Green Lantern had once reduced his enemies and imprisoned them within this world, and he himself had been trapped in the Emerald Sand Dunes of the Green Lantern ring's inner world.

Even the wielders of Green Lantern rings couldn't seem to fully control their inner worlds. Similar to Schiller's current situation, his consciousness could only reside within the confines of this isolated island, with no control over the vast, enigmatic city below.

Fortunately, the isolated island seemed disconnected from the city below, and the massive shadows that occasionally appeared in the mist hadn't detected his presence.

Moreover, Schiller was astonished to find that he seemed to have physically entered this world, and here, he could communicate with symbiote.

He severed his consciousness and returned to reality, glancing at the clock. Time was passing.

In other words, this place was like an independent sanctuary. In theory, if faced with an insurmountable danger, he could enter the Grey Mist world and wait for the crisis to pass.

Schiller thought that the enormous city beneath that isolated island and the colossal shadows that occasionally loomed in the Grey Mist likely concealed significant secrets, and were equally dangerous. Staying there for too long was not a wise idea, unless he encountered a threat to his life. This peculiar and bizarre inner world was best left unexplored.

Later that evening, Mrs. Felton from the administration office visited. She had originally come to verify next semester's textbook expenses with Schiller. However, she was a rather attentive lady, and she said to Schiller, "Our new principal was just discharged from the hospital yesterday, and he might return to the office tomorrow."

She subtly reminded Schiller, "He seems a bit anxious, perhaps eager to make some significant changes."

As Mrs. Felton had predicted, that night, Schiller received a call from Principal Seldon. This time, Seldon appeared to have learned his lesson. He didn't immediately pressure Schiller with tasks but instead spoke a lot of vague words about working diligently. Only after that did he mention that there might be some changes in the positions of certain professors at Gotham University. He had invited some old friends from Princeton to introduce experts and professors for the new professor team at Gotham University.

It seemed like Seldon wanted to make Schiller nervous. After all, in the university, a professor's resources depended on the school's emphasis on their teaching subjects. Currently, Schiller was a valuable asset to Gotham University, with a strong resume that attracted students from out of town to enroll.

However, if more world-class experts and scholars joined the university, organizing their own laboratories and leading students in research on a global scale, it was uncertain whether the school's resources would continue to favor the psychology department.

Initially, Schiller had no objections to this matter; he, too, hoped Gotham University would prosper, enhancing his teaching record.

That was until he saw Victor Fries' name on the list of professors newly hired by Principal Seldon.