He had never thought that the biggest challenge within his Batman career would not be dangerous criminals or complicated cases, but insufficient academic credits, resulting in delayed graduation.
Yet, it was all real. In the past days, he had fully realized the professor's determination to emphasize academics. He just hadn't expected that he would be the one targeted.
Normally, professors at other universities emphasize academics by reading more papers, attending more lectures, holding more meetings, and always being ready to receive the latest research information.
Shiller's emphasis on academics usually involves walking more at night, participating in more investigations, cooperating more with the police, and always being prepared to stage an accident where the principal dies unexpectedly.
However, what had happened before made Bruce realize that Shiller was not joking.
Bruce knew that if he dared to parachute in a principal who could give him a graduation certificate, the next day, Gordon would have to call him about an unprecedented murder case of the principal at Gotham University.
The murderer and weapon are unknown, but the motivation is clear. The next day, the news that Bruce Wayne bribed the principal due to his impending delay in graduation would appear on the front page of the Gotham Daily.
It was not until he arrived at the library that Bruce sobered up a bit. He knew that now he only had one choice, which was to study well and constantly elevate himself.
The previous events made Bruce realize that he had indeed been taking himself too seriously. Apart from himself, no one required him to be so perfect. The Earth will still spin without Batman, so he should prioritize other more urgent things for now.
Within this week, Bruce studied day and night, making up for all the psychology knowledge. Besides, he also briefly studied neuroscience and brain science.
Of course, a week was not enough for him to study these topics intensively, but at least he understood them roughly and caught up with most papers.
At the same time, the most troublesome thing for Bruce was that he must re-learn basic psychology with the juniors, even though he already knew it, because he couldn't meet the required course credit.
So, who was the last person Bruce wanted to see among the juniors?
The answer was Lex Luthor, who had just applied to Gotham University.
When Lex heard that Bruce had to retake the course, he let out a laugh that he had never made in his life. Also, he shared this joyful news with Clark Kent far away in Metropolis. Surely, this would become a good memory between the three of them in the future.
"Lex, what are you laughing at?" Shiller struck the podium with his teaching stick and said, "Don't look at the blackboard, what's the point to look at Bruce? If you think it's funny, when you become a junior, I can also give you this experience."
Lex silently retracted his expression, nodded solemnly at Shiller, and said, "Okay, Professor, I am not like this despicable Playboy. I am very interested in academics, and I am very willing to listen to your lecture again..."
Ignoring Bruce's face, which was as black as a pot bottom, Lex felt that his whole person had improved. Even Gotham's rainy day couldn't wash away his good mood. That is, until he had a rear-end collision on his way from school to his apartment.
"Oh, I'm really sorry, sir, we didn't mean it! We will compensate for it at full price!" a lavishly dressed lady walked out of the car, apologizing repeatedly, but Lex frowned at her first sight.
Another person also climbed out of the driver's seat, apologizing incessantly, then looked at Lex's car and said, "I'm really sorry, sir, your car looks somewhat unsightly, I'm afraid you can't drive it anymore, we will call the best towing company now, could you please let us take you home..."
"No need, there is nothing unsightly, and you don't have to compensate." Lex said, and directly went back to the driver's seat, stepped on the accelerator, turned the steering wheel and left.
A man and a woman were left in the cold wind of Gotham, the lady stomped her feet hard and, gritting her teeth, returned to the car.
As soon as fat Leon got back into the car, Lady Goth complained, "What's the deal with Bruce Wayne? Why has he been staying at school all these days?"
"It's unbelievable, a playboy like him would actually spend a whole week not leaving the university. Moreover, according to my daughter, he only goes to the library in school and doesn't even attend parties!"
Fat Leon snorted and said, "Who knows what these rich people are thinking? Perhaps his brain went haywire, and he suddenly wants to study."
Lady Goth sighed and said, "This Luthor is not buying into it. Do our methods work?"
"It's rare that both tycoons gather in Gotham. We have to seize the opportunity to pull them both in. The Great King's mission will then proceed more smoothly."
"So are we waiting for Wayne now or should we shift our priority and focus on Luthor?" asked Lady Goth.
Leon took a deep breath and said, "Wayne has shown interest, he's more likely to bite. He's just being held back by some issues. All we need to do is figure out what they are and help him resolve them. Who knows, we might even earn some goodwill..."
Lady Goth nodded and said, "My daughter has friends studying at Gotham University. I'll let her inquire about what's been keeping this playboy, Wayne, at school for so long."
A day later, Lady Goth was on the phone, "What did you say? Bruce Wayne is so busy because he has to retake courses at school and thus has no time for parties??"
"Damn it, who dared to fail him??... His psychology professor?" Lady Goth switched the phone to the other ear, "What's his name?... Good, I got it."
Lady Goth hung up the phone and then said to Leon, "I found out why Wayne is so busy. His psychology professor, Schiller Rodriguez, is exceptionally strict with him and failed him. Thus, he has no choice but to cram and that's why he's spent so many days at school."
Leon snorted and said, "Study seriously? How could that be possible? Bruce Wayne is nothing but a wastrel. He must be doing this as a cover-up. A little coaxing is all it takes for his true colors to show!"
Lady Goth turned her eyes and said, "I heard his love history is quite extensive, half of the beauties in Gotham had something with him..."
Leon glanced at her, Lady Goth revealed a smile, "My daughter is a beauty in the making and she's starting university this year. As I recall, Gotham University started their pre-university courses not long ago. Let her experience university life there in advance, and get to know Wayne, perhaps that could divert his attention... "
Leon smirked, fully aware of Lady Goth's plan, but did not stop her. After all, Miss Goth could indeed be considered as a beauty. With a little craftiness, it might actually work.
In the office of Gotham University, Victor walked in with a list, telling Schiller, "The classrooms and teaching tools for the pre-university courses are all prepared. We currently have three classes, each teaching a different skill."
Victor gave a thumbs up to Schiller, saying,
"Well done. Simply by hanging the vocational school under the name of Gotham University, you can make the Wayne Family and the Luthor Family invest here legitimately...."
"Moreover, this is our territory, no one dares to mess around."