Selina still left, and Bruce could not stop her. His attempt to deter her only resulted in three bloody scratches on his face, the heavy stench of his own blood causing him to feel slightly dizzy.
Returning to the Batcave, donning the bat suit, and once again standing over Gotham, he found that it seemed as if he was no longer needed anywhere.
Shiller no longer pressed him for his dissertation, no longer phoned him every few hours to inquire about his progress, no longer repeatedly called him into his office to discuss details of his thesis. Shiller had lowered his expectations of him, allowing him time to return to his Batman persona.
Alfred had taken care of Aisha's school arrangements so he didn't need to personally handle it, Dick had found his own place in the new school, resuming his social activities, so he didn't have to worry about Dick's mental state anymore.
Aisha was happy in kindergarten without any outbursts or runaway attempts as anticipated. She was not only able to pass the day smoothly, but now she didn't even need anyone to read her bedtime stories anymore.
Selina's departure meant Batman no longer needed to spend time on dates, nor waste crime-fighting time on their flights above the city.
Now Batman had ample time to do what he wanted to do, such as patrol Gotham every night, fight crime, develop better equipment, set up more surveillance cameras, monitor more areas, and keep everything under control.
But now, he was just standing on the roof of the Wayne building, not thinking about anything nor taking any action.
Bruce Wayne's identity was now completely vacant. He had finally attained the state he had longed for: no one needed Bruce Wayne anymore, everyone only needed Batman.
However, unexplainably, Batman's movements began to slow down, he was no longer as decisive and determined, and now, he was contemplating the cause of these changes.
He had abandoned all his weaknesses, no longer shackled by mundane chores. However, his attitude was not as easy-going as before, nor was his mindset.
He felt more like he had been booted out of the vast world beneath the clouds, and the reason given by these weak and ordinary people was that he was useless.
Was a god able to isolate himself from the world because he truly stands above human beings, or was it because people felt he was useless in society?
Was a god, in another sense, just societal rubbish?
What then was the difference between him and the criminals who have been expelled from society?
Batman found himself defying these thoughts, wanting to prove that Bruce was not so useless, but at the same time, he found these thoughts absurd, as the one who despised Bruce the most was Batman himself.
Contradictory emotions swirled in his chest, and the illogicality of his situation reminded him of how lost he had once felt when he first became Batman. So, he had the urge to seek out Shiller.
Shiller would ask him questions he had difficulty answering, but this at least gave him a direction for his thinking. As long as he had a direction, there could be a solution.
Batman arrived at Gotham University's campus. He knew that Shiller and Jason should still be in the empty classroom. Without a second thought, he jumped from the rooftop, landing on the balcony of the classroom.
However, the classroom was devoid of Shiller's presence, replaced only with Jason deeply immersed in his books, so engrossed that he did not notice the shadow hovering above his head.
Only when he finally decided to take a break did he realise that Batman had been watching him for dozens of minutes.
Jason jumped with fright, almost falling off his stool, as he heard Batman asked, "Where is Professor Shiller?"
"He... he's not here," Jason swallowed before continuing. "He's helping Professor Victor adjust the instruments in the cryo-chamber..."
"What are you reading?" Batman asked again.
Jason looked down at the book he was reading and replied, "Prestigious Psychologists and Their Theories."
"Do you understand it?" Batman queried.
"I understand some of it," Jason holding the book, cocked his head and said. "I just finished reading the theory by a psychologist named Freud, and now I'm reading Jung. I heard they were friends..."
Batman stood there quietly, as Jason observed him. After a while, he placed the book down on the table and looked at Batman. "You seem unhappy, why?"
Batman didn't answer, he merely asked, "When will Professor Shiller be back?"
"I'm not sure, he might not return tonight," Jason responded.
"Then why are you still here?"
"Reading!" Jason exclaimed, waving the book in his hand. "Didn't I tell you? I'm reading about world-renowned psychologists and their theories."
Glancing at Batman once again, Jason continued, "You seem to be filled with sorrow. Did you encounter some sort of difficulty?"
Batman hesitated, for this marked the first time someone hinted at his unhappiness, even Shiller had never mentioned it.
Jason rested his head on his hand and stated, "I remember that you didn't seem too happy the last time I saw you. But you seem especially sorrowful today, why is that?"
"Why would you think I'm upset?" Batman questioned.
"Intuition maybe," Jason shrugged. "My intuition has always been on point. It's what helped the Tail Gang stay on its feet."
Before Batman could reply, Jason had slapped his book, the spine colliding with the wooden surface of the table, creating a distinct noise.
He pointed to a phrase and said, "Look, this is what I find most interesting in Jung's theory. It's called 'Persona mask', do you know what a persona mask is?"
"Oh, you're also a student of Professor Shearer, so, you should also know that, in essence, Jung says, people need to adapt to various social norms, so they put on persona masks."
"We consciously make corresponding behaviors due to the subtle demands of various professions, and once behavior runs counter to social rules, we will be seen as fools."
"I find it really interesting because sometimes, I can feel it."
"For instance, in Gotham, you can't show weakness. Everyone knows this rule and also knows that the other person is bluffing, but none of us have ever exposed it."
"I rely on a strong persona to lead the Tail Gang to survive, the same goes for the bosses of the other gangs intimidated by me, we all know that each other is wearing a mask, and the one who can gain the upper hand depends on whose mask sticks tighter."
"Do you have a mask?" Jason asked Batman.
Batman stared into Jason's eyes, even suspecting that the kid in front of him was a disguise of Shearer because he asked another question that Batman couldn't answer.
Does Batman have a mask?
Of course, he does. His mask is Bruce Wayne. Batman is the real personality, Bruce Wayne is the mask.
If we are to follow Jung's theory, Bruce Wayne is the persona mask crafted by Batman, a mask that fits societal expectations – a wealthy, uneducated, and flirtatious heir.
The function of a persona mask is to allow people to live normally in society, to serve as a part of society without being abandoned by it. Thus, breaking out of the mask faces risk.
Just like the existence of Batman, a superhero with absolutely no mask, defies the social norms of Gotham. So, Gotham's society has cast him out, leaving him unable to participate in normal social life.
Jason pointed to a paragraph and said, "Jung believes that if a person's actual personality completely submits to the persona mask, it's very dangerous. If a person regards being accepted by society as their ultimate goal, they are likely to conform to society's every expectation."
"In such a case, the person no longer has their own personality; their purpose of living changes into becoming the figure that the group most hopes for, and to satisfy these hopes, they might do all sorts of wrong things."
Again, Jason highlighted an annotated phrase.
"It seems like it was annotated by Professor Shearer. He said a persona mask needs push and pull. Over-attention to societal expectations should lead one to pay attention to their personal needs, and excessive focus on personal needs should guide them towards considering societal expectations."
"When personal needs and societal expectations are balanced, only then can the stability of the persona mask be maintained, else, one will tumble into dreadful emotions that disappoint both sides."
Batman's fingers twitched as he asked, "Did he say how to balance them?"
Jason shook his head and said, "Professor Shearer didn't write it. It might be because there's no space left."
After contemplating for a bit, he earnestly said, "I don't think it's that complicated. Sometimes, when you meet someone else's expectations, you'll be unhappy. But if you're happy, you'll disappoint others."
"However, at the core, the people who truly love you want you to be happy. They would definitely hope that you do what you love."
"If someone tells you that you are doing something you love, making them very unhappy, they definitely do not truly love you. Or they think they love you, but they are just looking to control you."
"And if it comes to those who truly love me, I am willing to sacrifice some time, not do what I like, but do what will make them happy. Isn't that what love is? I hope you are happy, and you hope I'm happy..."
"How can you judge if a person truly loves you?" Batman asked.
"Did I not already say it?" Jason reinforced, "If a person is encouraging you to do what you love, and is also willing to exert effort to make you happy, then he truly loves you."
At that instant, Batman thought of many names. He was shocked by the number of names, and was dazed without moving.
Those who hoped he would be Batman, and were also willing to exert effort to make his Batman responsibilities easier were broadly part of the extensive list.
Alfred, knowing full well how dangerous Batman's mission is, has never said a deterring word. He takes meticulous care of Batman's daily life, relieving him of worries.
Catwoman genuinely likes the Batman persona, she sincerely thinks Batman is cool, and even self-restrains herself from stealing things to win his heart.
Dick has always admired Batman and wants to learn from him. When Batman is out of control, he tries to avoid provoking him.
And then there's Gordon, Harvey, and… Shearer?
The thought of Shearer caused Batman some bewilderment. Why was Shearer's name on this list?
Just then, a voice came from outside, "Jason, I'm back, where are you up to?... Batman, what are you doing here???"
Just as Batman was about to respond, Shearer, who entered the room, pointed his umbrella at Batman, and a roar echoed in the night school building:
"Batman!! You don't study yourself!! And now you want to lead others astray?!!!"
Two minutes later, Batman, who was fleeing in the dark rain, thought: Shearer? He is a "normal person" living in the world, while Batman is a god who has been kicked out of society.
Between humans and gods, there is no common ground for love, but hatred seems to rush to confront each other in both directions, lasting a very long time.