Arriving at Wayne Manor, Batman could finally discuss things in detail. He looked at Shiller and said, "You've been recruiting Batman for your Magic Academy so openly, and most of the people you've contacted are related to that Batman. It's inevitable that this won't attract Night Owl's attention. So what I want to ask you is, are you really confident in teaching Batman magic?"
Of course, Shiller wasn't. He wasn't actually trying to recruit Batman. But upon hearing about the internal party struggles within Batman, Shiller thought it might be a good opportunity to play along. This was a great chance to reveal Night Owl's true nature.
Shiller knew the plot, and of course, knew Night Owl wasn't a good person. That universe of theirs was more of an Injustice League, but the other Batmen didn't know this. Night Owl's universe wasn't just a mission copy; he hid his Prime Universe very well, and no one knew the specifics.
He disguised himself well among the Batmen, seeming cold but not as Bruce Wayne, though that's not uncommon in the Multiverse.
Speaking of which, the Arkham Batman, with his stern demeanor and swift moves, appeared much more evil than he.
Although many evil Batmen came to the Battleworld, the just Batmen still held an absolute advantage. Even just to secure his footing, Night Owl would disguise himself well and wouldn't do anything overly egregious.
Few Batmen knew about his ventures with the Mad Laugh into the Broken Bat's universe. Those aware, like the Primary Universe Batman and Arkham Batman, were his enemies. Even if they accused him, Night Owl could dismiss it as slander from competitors.
Of course, Shiller didn't want the evil Batmen to win, especially when Night Owl still had some unsuspecting just Batmen under him. If they were deceived by Night Owl, that would spell trouble. So the best way was to expose Night Owl.
But this guy indeed had some skills and managed to fit in quite convincingly, and he wasn't weak. Even though Shiller knew what his universe was like, infiltrating it wasn't easy. So the best way was to force him to make a move and catch his flaw.
Shiller initially thought that when Bruce approached Night Owl, it might lure him out. But considering Bruce's annual 300-day break, who knows when progress would be made, so it would be better to use this opportunity to test Night Owl.
To Batman, magic is always a taboo. 99% of Batmen can't learn magic; even if forced to learn, it often results in severe repercussions, mostly remaining clueless.
Although Shiller called Batman to the Magic Academy just to gather parents for a tour, the ambiguous phrasing made it sound like a large-scale effort to organize Batmen to learn magic.
Shiller was something of a celebrity in the Battleworld, and most people knew what he could do. So although it seemed absurd, it was not entirely impossible to succeed.
However, Shiller specifically sought out people affiliated with the Primary Universe Batman, went through a couple of copies with them, and then approached the Big Adventure Universe Batman. This all seemed like it was bolstering the power of the Primary Universe Batman's faction, and winning favor.
Night Owl couldn't sit idly by in response to this. He knew that Batman's controlling nature wouldn't let them miss a chance to gain magic, and they would certainly look for ways to get into the magic school. And if Shiller truly taught them, all of the Primary Universe Batman's people would know magic; what then could he play?
Even if there was some chance of this happening, Night Owl would get anxious. In anxiety, one is prone to lose rationale, and losing rationale could reveal one's true nature. Once he employs techniques inconsistent with most just Batmen's moral standards, even those who are not fully evil would abandon him.
Thinking of this, Shiller nodded and said, "I can only say there's some confidence, but I can't guarantee it. Besides, you Batmen wouldn't really think someone can make all Batmen into Great Mages, right?"
"Not really," Batman said. "Honestly, even if we cannot use magic ourselves, understanding what magic truly is would be beneficial. Is that your objective?"
"The situations in the two worlds aren't entirely the same; specific conditions need to be discussed at the Magic Academy," Shiller wasn't too willing to lie in front of Batman, because Batman is too perceptive. Especially given that the skill level of this Big Adventure Universe Batman isn't much different from the Primary Universe Batman, even he didn't have complete confidence.
Thus, Shiller chose to be vague. He didn't reveal that the establishment of the Magic Academy was essentially to promote the Multiverse Alliance and was fundamentally about cultivating maintenance workers for the Magical Defense Network, rather than individual Great Mages.
Even though he believed Batman might appreciate this scheme more, if the aim was to trick Night Owl, the latter's threat was evidently greater. Shiller had to guide in that direction.
"Alright, who have you invited?"
"Mostly your people," Shiller said, "The Primary Universe Batman and Arkham Batman are busy, but they might come. I've also invited him and brick Batman, as well as some other relatively traditional Batmen."
Batman nodded and said, "Alright. It seems your judgment about the situation within the Batman counterparts is quite accurate. I can only tell you, if you've only invited our people, some will definitely come uninvited."
"That's exactly what I'm worried about," Shiller said, "And I can't refuse, because I don't have the authority to choose which Batmen."
"Are you sure they have magic talent?" Batman hinted.
"I can't prove you have magic talent," Shiller said, "At least not in this universe; we'd need to take them to my universe."
"This could be a bit of a nuisance," Batman mused, "It's extremely dangerous for your universe. If we fight in the Magic Academy, the commotion could be quite large."
"The key lies in whether you can win, and by what means you achieve victory," Shiller hinted, adding, "Perhaps over there, everyone has some magic talent. What needs comparison is your level of magic use and your sense of justice."
"Does using magic require a sense of justice?"
"If I say it does, then it does," Shiller tapped the table and said, "The Supreme Magician has always been fair and strict. Regardless of being an otherworld visitor, or having high magic talent, if one's character is questionable or too outrageous, he will absolutely not condone it. If he doesn't allow certain students to continue learning, then no amount of magic talent will help."
"I understand," Batman smiled and said.
"As for the safety issue you mentioned, it is indeed problematic. Therefore, I have to go back and discuss it with my colleagues. You help me entertain the upcoming Batmen. If someone comes uninvited, there's no need to drive them away; the truth will be revealed at the academy."
Batman nodded, and Shiller chose to leave. He already had a plan in mind, and now needed to discuss it with Strange and Nick.
"What did you say?! Let Batman come over to learn magic?!" Nick's booming voice almost lifted the roof off the S.H.I.E.L.D Director's office, "Don't you think you're pushing it too far?!"
"Not to really make them learn," Shiller patiently explained, "Anyway, we've already developed magic wands. As long as they can make the gestures and recite the spells, they can trigger magic. There's no shortage of energy; if worse comes to worst, we can also research magical plants."
"But it's very dangerous," Nick said, "If they just come for a trip, the mess they can make is limited. But if they stay here, who knows what disasters could unfold. Not to mention superheroes, what about ordinary people? It's not far from Boston."
"Are you sure the ordinary people are the ones at risk?" Shiller pointed to a document on Nick's desk and said, "The 100-meter sprint record was broken again, wasn't it?"
"It's precisely because ordinary people's physical abilities have improved that I'm sitting here talking to you, rather than sending you to a psychiatrist the moment you said that," Nick said, pulling a chair over to sit down, "In any case, this is too dangerous."
"Have the first batch of students arrived?" Shiller asked.
"Yes, including those students who went to shoot a movie before. The professors are also arriving one after another. Once the weather cools down a bit, we can start the semester," Nick said, then remembered something, "Although we do accept adults as well, many are children. Aren't you afraid the kids might get hurt?"
"If Batman can beat those little wizards, the Supreme Magician must have opened his eyes. You might as well worry about if those little wizards might cause trouble and drag Batman into it, accidentally injuring them severely. We wouldn't have to compensate, would we?"
"These are extreme scenarios that might not occur. Besides, I will be there as the school doctor. If there's any real danger, I'll intervene. This could even make Batman owe us a favor."
It was clearly the last sentence that persuaded Nick. He tapped a ballpoint pen on the table repeatedly, thinking aloud, "With you and Wanda there, plus Steven, I'm not worried about anyone being in mortal danger. Even if they are, we can bring them back. But you must promise me there won't be any major incidents or public relations crises."
"Wanda might not adjust quickly to her new job. I'll suggest having Jarvis accompany him for a while, so nothing inappropriate is captured on camera."
"Alright, we must take this step eventually, right?"
Shiller nodded with a smile.
Then he returned to the Big Adventure Batman's universe. Most of the invited Batmen had arrived, now gathered in the reception hall, with of course, some unexpected guests.
As Shiller opened the door, he first saw Night Owl's round goggles. Sitting next to him was the Batman from the 'Injustice League' game, the one who was stabbed to death by Wonder Woman of the Justice League in Shiller's universe and then brought back.
Surprisingly, he chose to side with Night Owl, but then again, that universe hardly has any sane people. Perhaps he's trying to provoke Injustice Superman again, as even the comic version of Injustice Superman stands with Night Owl.
Beyond them, Shiller saw a familiar figure. The moment he saw him, Shiller wanted to close the door—it was the Bruce of his universe.
Shiller couldn't help but think: What does an Angel like you want to learn magic for?
But soon he understood: How coincidental is this? In the Magic Academy, he's not a professor but a school doctor. No matter how much Bruce likes to torment professors, it won't affect him. Poor Strange, though; hopefully, he won't become another Arrogant, Amen.