"In the world of magic, there exists such a school of thought."
While having lunch, Shiller said this to Bruce, his head slightly bowed as he arranged the food on his plate, seemingly composing his thoughts. After a moment, he continued.
"Most people think that the founder of this school of thought is Constantine, but that's just because he has a wide circle of friends who all have a deep impression of him."
"Since ancient times, mages have been seeking a way to use magic without paying a price. After a few attempts, most people give up. Humans cannot compete with these powerful beings. It's a stroke of luck to borrow their power, let alone not pay it back, it's almost impossible."
Bruce's pace of eating slowed down, as if he had a premonitory sense of what Shiller was going to say next.
"I know the reason for your interest in magic. During Constantine's time in Gotham, you were always following his footsteps, and he was constantly warning you not to try to resurrect anyone using magic."
"He makes perfect sense. To go to God or a demon to ask for the resurrection of someone is basically handing them your weakness. A previously fair deal would immediately become them whipping you forward."
"The fundamental reason Constantine hasn't collapsed from playing this game for so many years is because he has no weakness. He makes demons and gods aware that no matter how much they torture him and his friends, he'll never give in, they won't gain anything from him."
"He forces those he deals with to make only relatively fair demands using his unimaginable willpower. He even has the energy to counterattack any demons and gods who try to cheat. Once such an image is established, powerful beings will be wary."
"So, if you let any powerful being other than humans know that you've been wanting to resurrect someone for many years, even if you don't actively look for them, they will constantly tempt you and may even threaten you with the image of your loved ones until they drain every bit of your worth."
Bruce looked at Shiller, then lowered his head to cut the steak and said, "Thomas is back, and Martha... perhaps it is not a mistake to rest, it's better than becoming the Joker, right?"
"I'm glad you think that way, but the point of my saying this is not to keep you away from the magical world."
"That's what I'm confused about," Bruce stuck the point of his knife into the steak and said, "If you're following the same methods as Constantine and suffering just like him, there's no reason for you to pull me further into this. For years, you've been pushing me onto a different path."
"Indeed, in an ordinary humans' society, you simply don't need to tread my path," Shiller said, looking into Bruce's eyes, "You are not beyond help, and there's certainly no need to take madness as your weapon. Those who walk the path of the Batman and I usually have no other choice, but you're different."
"I understand that it's quite normal for a student to regard his mentor as a role model and want to follow in his footsteps. I've continuously been trying to set you on a different path, you've had your share of resentment."
"I didn't," Bruce replied immediately, still poking the steak with the point of his knife.
"Although in ordinary human society you have sincerely walked a different path, using the knowledge you've acquired and the power you've gained as your weapons instead of madness, perhaps on the other side of the world, we can tread the same path."
Bruce's hand shook, resulting in a harsh noise as the knife's tip scraped the porcelain plate.
Shiller shook his head and said, "It seems our mutual torment is actually my instruction, yet I insist you must not become me."
"When such contradictions no longer exist between us, we can naturally develop a normal mentor-student relationship. This is exactly what I hope for, and perhaps magic would be a good starting point."
After causing the noise with the plate, Bruce did not move again. He remained still, looking into Shiller's eyes and asking, "You intend to teach me magic?"
"Why not give it a try?" Shiller looked gently into Bruce's eyes. Lately, he has been very gentle. It's his most explicit display of a cheerful mood.
Bruce's immediate thought was about the definition of symptoms for those suffering from autism – they generally dislike making new strides, including but not limited to, a reluctance to meet new people, develop new relationships, or accept new environments. They forever live only in their most familiar imagined world, which is the source of their security.
For someone with autism, grading a relationship and making new strides at the appropriate time is extremely difficult. Shiller never did that before.
He hardly discussed the mentor-student relationship with Bruce. Although Shiller was the dominant one in this relationship, he never actively made any changes. He responded passively to situations and accepted resultant changes in the relationship brought about by certain events.
But now he is determined to alter Bruce's impression of their mentor-student relationship, or perhaps he wants to alter his own as well. After all, the mentor-student relationship bound with pain and blood is not exactly a pleasant memory. Had it not been for a reasonably good result, it would have been a perfect fit for Gotham.
Is there still room for a change?
Bruce asked himself. In another totally unfamiliar new world, under Shiller's guidance, could studying a subject he had never been in touch with or understood turn into another feast of pain and blood?
People who have experienced unhealthy relationships tend to have a pessimistic attitude towards relationships with others. It takes a long time to heal, but Bruce knew how precious a social invitation from someone with autism was. He hadn't forgotten his initial objective.
No one has no choice but to take madness as their weapon, Bruce thought, whether it's Batman, the Joker, or Shiller. It's just that no one has the strength of will and patience to hold out against them, so they casually declare, "It's beyond hope." Even they believe that, so they turn madness into a weapon.
But if Shiller had made such a hasty conclusion back then, perhaps Bruce wouldn't be who he is now. Since he has turned out to be the savior, there isn't a sheep he can't rescue.
"It's my honor," Bruce raised his glass to Shiller.
When Shiller lifted his wine glass, Bruce wasn't sure whether he had caught a glimpse of relaxation in his eyes, as if he was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief.
"A banquet awaits this evening and you have plans to visit a friend, when do you plan on teaching me the magic that will keep me from exposing myself at the banquet?" Bruce asked after lunch.
As Shiller escorted him into the horse-drawn carriage, he calmly replied, "There's no rush."
The carriage ride was slightly longer this time, as Shiller took Bruce to select gifts from the Mirror Tower in Maya.
The Mirror Tower is a trading market suspended in the sky over Maya, offering a more high-end selection of goods than the big markets in London, most of them being unique specialities of the magical world.
Shiller ushered Bruce into a gemstone boutique; the multitude of ancient magical accessories displayed dazzled Bruce. Thankfully, his girlfriend was a gemstone collector, allowing Bruce to pick out a unique magical ring adorned with a cat's eye gem from the store.
Afterward, they returned to London in the magical carriage. Turning a corner on a fog-ridden street, they spotted a bookstore.
Bruce guessed who Shiller was planning to visit. However, when he saw Constantine again, he couldn't help but marvel.
The Hell Detective had shed his unkempt appearance completely. Although he still had a dash of punk-rock rebellion, his overall disposition had improved drastically.
Being indebted to Shiller and enforced to run the bookstore, with another soul supervising inside his head, ensuring he wouldn't return to his terrible past lifestyle, Constantine was quite saved.
When Shiller and Bruce entered the bookstore, Constantine was busy arranging books. Bruce could tell that most of the books in Constantine's bookstore were magic ones, and many even glowed with an evil luster.
"Oh, you're here." Constantine said after turning around and recognizing Shiller.
Upon seeing Bruce behind Shiller, however, he stepped back so rapidly he stumbled into a pile of books. Extending his arms in a defensive motion, he exclaimed, "If you want me to close shop, just say so. No need to destroy the whole of London!"
Shiller handed over a small gift he'd bought earlier at the Mirror Tower to Constantine, reassuring, "Calm down, I simply plan on teaching him magic."
Constantine's hand began to shake, and he stared at Shiller. "You mean another four years, and then destroy London, Maya, or any other city?!"
"Not this time."
"It's not going to happen!"
In the end, Constantine still grudgingly accepted Shiller's gift. After a brief glance, he placed it back on the shelf. Watching Shiller casually pick up a book and start reading, he asked dubiously, "You're not serious, are you? You plan to teach Bruce Wayne magic?"
"He's already a magnate standing at the top of the pyramid in the ordinary human society. Do you also want him to become a grand mage? Can't you leave a way for a mediocre mage like me to survive, who has a mediocre talent and family background?"
"It seems you're rather comfortable running second-hand book business." Shiller said, not without a trace of mockery.
"Don't mention it. Everyone who's still alive and is friends with me can take care of themselves. Thanks to their support," Constantine plopped down next to a pile of books and said, "Life is just about bearable."
"Alright, let's talk business." Putting down his book, Shiller looked at Constantine, "Find me some books that record the most secret, profound, and obscure magical knowledge. Ideally, they should all have the same theme."
Constantine stared wide-eyed from the floor, and with a puzzled look, asked, "Most secret, profound and obscure? Even on a demon lord's bookshelf, these books would gather dust. What do you want them for?"
"Just tell me if you can find them."
"Huh, am I someone who can be goaded that easily?" Constantine huffed, but still dusted off his coat tails and went upstairs to find the books for Shiller.
After a while, he came back with three tomes thicker than bricks. "The mystic world has undergone about three knowledge revolutions. Prior to the first knowledge revolution, only the wealthy, idle, and talented nobles could dabble in magic. At that time, it could take decades just to decipher a single symbol."
"These three books were written during that era. They contain theories of magic written by ancient great magicians, explaining how the magic of this world operates. Even though the mystic world has now prospered to such a degree, there aren't many who have the patience and scholarship to decode such profound and obscure works."
Constantine shrugged, "After all, who cares how magic really works, when you can simply strike a deal with a demon in your dreams to use magic?"
"Very well, that will do."
Shiller nodded in satisfaction, then gestured for Bruce, who was browsing through different books, to join them. "Bruce, come over."
Shiller glanced at his watch and said, "We have about three hours until the banquet begins. Memorize these three books, and you can discuss these topics with anyone who talks to you at the banquet."
Constantine's eyes widened slowly, but Shiller showed a smile, "I trust it won't be long before news of a new genius magician in the magical realm spreads throughout the universe."