Chapter 1278: Double Shadows (18) _1

Jason sat in the middle of the theatre seat, his mouth agape enough to fit an egg. Before he could even speak, Bruce's voice came from behind: "That isn't you, just like this isn't me."

Jason turned to see a pair of eyes that appeared extra blue under the screen's light. He opened his mouth as if he was taken aback, then after a while, lowered his eyes to say, "No, maybe that's the future me."

"No matter how inspiring the stories in the books are, they don't occur to ordinary people. I won't be going to work on Wall Street in a suit and tie."

"I'd just be like a regular member of the Gotham Children's Gang, waiting to be picked by the Mob. The best outcome is grabbing a gun, bursting into the previous boss's office, killing him, and taking his place."

Barry felt his heart clutch as he regretted saying the name as soon as it left his mouth, but he knew that Jason would sooner or later see it. Suddenly as if something dawned on him, he said under his breath, "And the worst result…"

"No, Jason, that's not you." Barry immediately turned to the boy, saying: "Whatever happens to him has nothing to do with you. The gap between you two is vast, even wider than the distance between universes. Whatever you heard, it's just a story."

Bruce's piercing gaze was directed at Barry. He understood what Barry was hinting at. Barry seemed like he let out a sigh of relief saying: "No, it's alright. Batman wouldn't say it, at least not to his face. It's alright…"

Bruce slowly shifted his gaze away. He had predicted, perhaps, a terrible tragedy had befallen Jason in another universe, his impulsivity and aggressiveness were not only due to his experiences on the street.

He remembered what Morbid had said: only trapped beasts bare their fangs every moment. Uncontrolled aggression is a lack of safety, a sign of fear.

Bruce slowly closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. He could deduce what kind of tragedy Jason had encountered. The dark path that Batman had chosen would inevitably bring countless wicked adversaries, who would stop at nothing and be despicable to the end.

When they realize they cannot defeat Batman they would unleash their madness onto the people around him. Even the thought of it made Bruce shiver, let alone imagining it. The darkness hidden within him would start to boil uncontrollably.

He couldn't imagine the kind of pain he would endure if Alfred, Selina, Dick, Aisha, or even Jason or Tim who haven't been with him long were harmed.

Is it really worth it?

This question kept revolving in Bruce's head. He realized he was being Batman's choices less and less. Yet, his sanity told him that this confusion is normal. What astonished him was since when did he have a bit of sanity?

But the atmosphere on the screen and in the room became tense. Batman tried to persuade Jason to back down, but the more he did, the more Jason refused to step back, and clearly, Shiller's patience was being tested.

Shiller wouldn't mind trying to mediate the Batman family's relationship or couldn't do it. He could even easily point out why Jason's violent behavior occurs, what mistakes Batman made in communication, and how to correct them.

But the premise is that they should make an appointment first, call before the appointment, arrive on time, dress like civilized people, and not act like some oddly-dressed freaks.

Then they should sit down in the chair one by one, speak from two perspectives one by one. Shiller would figure out the possible contradictions from their reactions, give them advice, and make an appointment for the next therapy session.

Indeed, Shiller wasn't being overly fastidious. This was his requirement because this treatment process has been tested millions of times. It is beneficial for mentally disturbed patients to express their emotions and stabilize.

Like now, two strangers in tight-fitting costumes were standing in a pile of broken glass. You intimidate him, he defies you. One person exerts authority, and the other vents emotions. It doesn't benefit their relationship and prevents the psychiatrist from objectively assessing their mental state.

To Shiller, this was of utmost importance. If the environment and mood did not match the conversation, the diagnosis could be skewed. If the treatment proceeded with this skewed diagnosis, it could lead to disastrous consequences, which he would never allow.

Shiller believed that maintaining a perfect atmosphere in one's domain was necessary for any psychiatrist's professional ethics to ensure the accuracy of the results. This was the biggest difference between him and Greed's working style.

To Greed, the conversation should be as relaxed as possible. Patients should completely relax their guard. Whatever they want to do, whatever they want to say, it doesn't matter if they create turmoil here, as long as there's a reaction, there's material to judge.

But for Arrogant, it's normal for patients who come here to scream uncontrollably, cry for help incessantly, or if they're not sick, there's no need to come to see him.

But they can't disrupt the atmosphere, nor attempt to take control. If they could really create an atmosphere and handle the initiative properly, they wouldn't need to come here.