Chapter 755 Batman at the Speed of Life and Death (Part 3)_1

Aisha opened her mouth, brimming with sharp teeth, revealing an innocent smile. From the gaps between those pointed fangs, Shiller glimpsed scraps of paper.

Shiller took a deep breath, then sighed. As the saying goes, what goes around, comes around.

Once Bruce saw Aisha off, he returned to Shiller's desk. Shiller held a report card in his hand and said sternly:

"Mr. Bruce Wayne, I must inform you now. Your grades have reached a disturbingly low level. Skipping classes, neglecting homework, and lack of participation in school activities have resulted in a shortfall of credits for two years of your three-year college life."

"This year, you will be entering your fourth year at university. If your performance doesn't improve, I regret to inform you that you risk...a delayed graduation."

The term "delayed graduation" struck Bruce like a thunderbolt out of a clear sky.

Yes, Bruce Wayne doesn't need a college degree. He's wealthy beyond measure, and his minute-by-minute earnings might very well match some students' annual salaries. He doesn't need a diploma to find work, and no one would look down on him for its absence.

But everyone else sees the disguised exterior of Bruce - a carefree playboy. Bruce himself knew that he was not that person. Studying at a university was an easy task for him, hence the thought of him not graduating on time was intolerable.

If he had chosen not to attend university, people might have respected his choice. But he was in his third year, just one year shy of graduation, and now he had been notified that graduation might be delayed. It didn't hurt much, but the insult was severe.

Bruce absolutely couldn't stomach a delayed graduation.

Generally, no university on earth would choose to delay graduation for Bruce Wayne simply because it would lack meaning. Why quibble with a playboy like him who has just been honing his appearance at university?

What does it matter if his academic performance isn't up to mark, or if he skips classes or doesn't do homework? He doesn't need a degree, his focus isn't on academia, pushing him will only lead to a lose-lose situation. Why not use that time to care more about students who are truly committed to their studies.

But Gotham is a strange place. Even Bruce Wayne, famous playboy, can be considered promising material here. The only person in class with better grades than him is Evans Falkner, the future Godfather of Gotham.

It's not that Shiller only wants to exploit this particular 'sheep'. The problem is, compared to the others, who are wolves in sheep's clothing, Bruce is an actual sheep. Whether he is willing to learn is one thing, but at least he is capable of learning.

While Bruce may not be keen to learn, at least, he can. He has a phenomenal memory and thus memorizing concepts and definitions is not a challenge for him. He also has extensive hands-on experience. Most importantly, he is physically capable—ideal traits for a psychologist in a place like Gotham.

As for whether Bruce wants to study psychology, it was his elective, and he chose Shiller's class. Shiller had warned him initially, but Bruce hadn't listened. Who could he blame for that?

Bruce silently looked at Shiller, who also looked at him, and then said seriously, "You'd better forget any thoughts of bribing the dean to get your graduation certificate."

"Setting aside the fact that Gotham University currently doesn't have a dean, even if they did, if they were willing to sell you a graduation certificate for money, we'd just replace him."

Shiller flashed a fake smile. He looked at Bruce and asked, "Batman, defender of justice, would you dare to bet a life on whether I have the resolve to uphold academic integrity?"

"No need." Bruce immediately responded, took a deep breath, paused, and then asked, "What do I need to do to graduate on time?"

"I don't want to delve into what happened in those first three years..." Shiller began. On hearing this, Bruce relaxed. If Shiller had asked him to make up all his missed classes and homework from those years, he would not have had time for anything else this year.

But he soon realized, he rejoiced too soon.

"Firstly, you must make up the work and class hours owed from your third year. I cannot offer individual make-up classes, but you can attend classes with lower-level students, essentially, retake the class."

"If you can't complete several ten-thousand-word essays overnight, then you must hand in all owed assignments before the new school year starts in September. Missing by even a single word is unacceptable."

"Also, I am aware of your actual abilities, so do not try to fool me with something written by someone who is severely illiterate. I hope that you can propose an independent research topic. Furthermore, for the second half of the term, there will be an internship for which you must be present and shall not miss. An internship report will also need to be handed in..."

"Additionally, you haven't attended a single elective class. All the psychology clubs are run by Evans. You must make up for all of these within the year. If I don't see you fulfill the required credits this year, get ready for a delayed graduation!"

Bruce was still reeling as he stepped out of the administrative building. He felt threatened and found the conditions for the threat both funny and absurd.