civilwarnovels Chapter 3785 Negotiations (Part 2)
Chapter 3785 Negotiations (Part 2)
Chapter 3785 Negotiations (Part 2)
Upon arriving at Wayne Manor, Batman could finally explain the matter in detail. He looked at Schiller and said, "Your high-profile recruitment of Batman to your magic academy, and the fact that most of the people you've contacted are connected to that Batman, is bound to attract Night Owl's attention. So, my question is, are you really confident you can teach Batman magic?"
Schiller, of course, didn't; he had no intention of recruiting Batman. However, after hearing about the internal power struggles within Batman, Schiller felt he could use this opportunity to his advantage. This was a perfect chance to expose the true nature of Night Owl.
Schiller knew the plot, and of course he knew Night Owl was no pushover. Their universe was a league of villains, but the other Batmen didn't know that. Night Owl's universe wasn't a mission instance either; he hid his origin universe very well, and no one knew the specifics.
He also disguised himself well in Batman, although he looked rather aloof and was not Bruce Wayne, but this is not an isolated case in the multiverse.
To put it simply, even the cool-headed and ruthless Batman from Arkham seems far more evil than him.
Although quite a few evil Batmen have entered the Battlegrounds, the righteous Batmen currently hold an absolute advantage. Even to maintain his foothold, Owl will carefully disguise himself and won't do anything particularly outrageous.
Few Batmen knew that he followed the Laughing Batman into the Broken Bat universe. Those who did know were enemies of him, and even if he did something, Night Owl could easily dismiss it as slander from his rivals.
Schiller certainly didn't want the evil Batman to win, especially since Night Owl had some clueless righteous Batmen under his command. If they were fooled by Night Owl, it would be a huge problem. So the best way was to expose Night Owl.
But this guy is definitely skilled; he puts on a convincing act, and his strength isn't weak either. Although I know what his universe is like, infiltrating it won't be easy. The best way is to force him to make a move and seize his weakness.
Schiller had thought that Bruce's previous contact with Night Owl would lure him out, but with Bruce taking 300 days off a year, it would take forever to make any progress. It would be better to use this incident to test Night Owl.
For Batman, magic is a taboo subject. 99% of Batmen cannot learn magic, and even if they do, it will cause all sorts of terrible consequences; most of them are completely clueless about it.
Although Schiller called Batman to the magic academy only to gather parents for a visit, the wording of the message was ambiguous, making it sound like a large-scale organization of Batman learning magic.
Schiller is a well-known figure in the fighting world, and most people know his abilities. So although this is absurd, it is also possible for it to succeed.
However, Schiller actively sought out members of the main universe's Batman faction, first engaging them in two missions, and then approaching the Batman of the Grand Adventure universe. This all seems like an attempt to boost the main universe's Batman faction's strength and win their loyalty.
Night Owl couldn't stand idly by. He knew Batman's desire for control meant they wouldn't miss a chance to learn magic and would definitely try to get into magic school. And if Schiller really taught them, everyone on Batman's side in the main universe would know magic—what would be the point of their game then?
Even if there's only a slight possibility of that, Night Owl will panic. Panic makes it easy to lose your temper, and losing your temper makes it easy to reveal your true nature. Once he uses methods that don't conform to the moral standards of most righteous Batmen, then at least those Batmen who aren't entirely evil will abandon him.
Thinking this through, Schiller nodded and said, "I can only say I'm somewhat confident, but I can't guarantee it. Besides, you Batmen wouldn't really believe that someone can turn every Batman into a great sorcerer, would you?"
“No, not at all,” Batman said. “In fact, even if we can’t use magic ourselves, it would be good to figure out how magic works. Is that your goal?”
“The situations in the two worlds are not exactly the same. We’ll have to discuss the specifics at the magic academy.” Schiller wasn’t particularly willing to lie to Batman, because Batman was too perceptive. Especially since the level of Batman in this grand adventure universe was not much different from that of the main universe’s Batman, even he wasn’t entirely confident.
So Schiller chose to be vague. He didn't tell Batman that the establishment of the Magic Academy was actually to promote the multiverse alliance, and that it was essentially training maintenance workers for the magical defense network, rather than solitary great wizards.
While he felt Batman might appreciate this approach more, if the goal was to lure out Night Owl, the latter was clearly a greater threat. Schiller had to steer the conversation in that direction.
"Okay, who did you call?"
“Most of them are from your side,” Schiller said. “The main universe Batman and Arkham Batman are a bit busy, but they might come. I also called him and BrickBatman, as well as some other relatively traditional Batmen.”
Batman nodded and said, "Alright. It seems your assessment of the situation within Batman's body is quite accurate. I can only tell you that if you only called our people, someone else will definitely show up uninvited."
“That’s exactly what I was worried about,” Schiller said. “I couldn’t refuse either, because I don’t have the right to choose Batman.”
"Are you sure they have magical talent?" Batman asked pointedly.
“I can’t prove you have magical talent either,” Schiller said. “At least not in this universe. I’ll have to take you to my universe.”
“This is a bit of a problem,” Batman said thoughtfully. “It’s very dangerous for your universe. If we were to fight inside the magic academy, it could cause quite a stir.”
"The key is whether you can win, and by what means you will win," Schiller hinted. "Perhaps when you get there, you will all have magical talent. What will be compared is your skill in using magic and your sense of justice."
Does using magic require a sense of justice?
“If I say it’s necessary, then it’s necessary.” Schiller tapped the table and said, “The Sorcerer Supreme has always been fair and just. Regardless of whether they are visitors from another world or how high their magical talent is, if their character is questionable or they go too far, he will never tolerate it. If he does not allow certain students to continue their studies, then no matter how high their magical talent is, it’s useless.”
“I understand,” Batman said with a smile.
"As for the security issue you mentioned, it is indeed a serious problem. So I need to go back and discuss it with my colleagues. You help me entertain the Batman who is coming next. If anyone shows up uninvited, there's no need to kick them out; we can settle things once we get to the academy."
Batman nodded, and Schiller chose to leave. He already had a plan in mind, and now he needed to discuss it with Strange and Nick.
"What did you say?! You want Batman to come and learn magic?!" Nick's voice nearly blew the roof off Nick Fury's office. "Don't you think you're pushing your luck?!"
“We’re not really making them learn,” Schiller explained patiently. “We’ve already developed wands, so as long as they can perform the actions and chant the spells, they can activate magic. We also have no shortage of energy, and if all else fails, we can research magical plants.”
“But it’s dangerous,” Nick said. “If it’s just a one-time visit, the trouble it can cause is limited. But if it stays here, who knows what kind of disaster it could cause. Forget about the superheroes, what about the ordinary people? It’s not far from Boston.”
"Are you sure the danger comes from ordinary people?" Schiller pointed to a document on Nick's desk. "The 100-meter record has been broken again, hasn't it?"
“It’s precisely because the physical condition of ordinary people has improved that I’m sitting here talking to you, instead of telling you to see a psychologist the moment you say those words.” Nick pulled up a chair and sat down, then said, “Anyway, this is too dangerous.”
"Have the first batch of trainees arrived yet?" Schiller asked.
“Yes, including the students who went to film the movie before. The professors have also been arriving one after another, and classes can start once the weather cools down a bit.” Nick then remembered something and said, “Although we also admit adults, many of them are children. Aren’t you worried about the children getting hurt?”
"If Batman can beat those little sorcerers, then the Sorcerer Supreme will truly be amazed. Perhaps you should worry about what happens if those sorcerers cause trouble and get involved, accidentally leaving Batman half-paralyzed. Surely we won't have to pay for it?"
“These are extreme cases, and they might not even happen. Besides, I'll be working as a school doctor there. I'll intervene if anything dangerous happens. That would make Batman owe us a huge favor.”
It was clearly the last sentence that persuaded Nick. He tapped his pen on the table repeatedly and said thoughtfully, "With you and Wanda here, plus Stephen, I'm not worried about anyone's life being in danger. Even if it were, we could bring them back. But you must promise me that there won't be any major uproar or public relations crisis."
“Wanda might not be used to working here yet. I would suggest that Jarvis go and keep her company for a while, and no one will take any photos that they shouldn’t.”
"Okay, we have to take this step eventually, right?"
Schiller smiled and nodded.
He then returned to the universe where Batman's Grand Adventure resided. Most of the invited Batmen were present and gathered in the reception room, along with a few uninvited guests.
As Schiller opened the door, the first thing he saw was Night Owl's round goggles. Sitting next to him was none other than Batman from the game "Injustice," the one who was stabbed to death by Wonder Woman from Schiller's Justice League universe and then rescued.
I didn't expect him to choose to side with Nite Owl. But that's understandable; there aren't many people with sound minds in that universe. Maybe he's trying to provoke Injustice Superman again, since the comic book version of Injustice Superman also sides with Nite Owl.
Passing the two of them, Schiller saw a familiar figure. The moment he saw him, Schiller wanted to close the door—it was none other than Bruce from Schiller's own universe.
Schiller couldn't help but think to himself: What are you doing learning magic, you angel?
But he quickly realized: Isn't this just a coincidence? He's not a professor at the magic academy, he's the school doctor. Even if Bruce were tormenting professors, he wouldn't get a chance against him. It's just a pity for Strange; hopefully, he won't be another Arrogant one, amen.