"Bruce Wayne!"
The students around the dining table called his name in waves, the sound so reminiscent of sparrows landing on a windowsill on a late autumn morning. Such noise would've been incredibly annoying in the early hours, but it seemed that the man had become accustomed to attention, not in the least bit fazed by others' interest.
"Did I bump into you? Sorry." Bruce lightly nodded towards Little Bruce, his gaze swift to move on and meet the approaching figure of Constantine.
"Finally, you're back, Bruce! The teachers substituting for you have practically gone a whole rotation, if you'd dallied any longer, I might've had to attend that dreadful math class."
"Don't listen to his nonsense, he wouldn't be caught dead doing it." Zatanna appeared from behind Constantine, her magic robe sleeves pulled back as she gave Bruce a quick hug.
"How have the students been? You might want to warn them that the math class they dread so much is about to come back."
"Good lord, I get more headaches than they do," Zatanna rolled her eyes, "Math and physics are the banes of my existence, and you just happen to excel at them. It's more memorable than our past... Anyway, have you had breakfast yet?"
"Not yet, but I don't have time right now. I'm here to see Professor Strange. Is he around?"
"He's over there at Strange College." Constantine gestured towards a group of students clad in golden robes at the far end of the table, Professor Strange's figure barely discernible.
"Thanks. I'll head over there." Bruce was about to stride off when Zatanna turned a look to Little Bruce and quickly caught up with the older. "Wait, he..."
"Alright, brat, looks like your backer has returned." Constantine shrugged, addressing Little Bruce, "It looks like good times are ahead for you."
But Little Bruce was standing there, transfixed by Bruce's retreating figure. He was shell-shocked, primarily because his future self looked nothing like what he had imagined. Were they a bit too trendy?
Yes, this Bruce looked young, vibrant, and very current. The robe he wore looked incredibly expensive, fabricated not out of the usual heavy material but a sort of lightweight silk. The dark patterns woven in seemed to be the latest trend in the Magic realm, vaguely inspired by the Eastern Rococo style, tailored to his form in a way that suggested efficiency and elegance. Ten tailors must have labored over this.
Furthermore, it seemed he had a good relationship with the professors. Little Bruce himself had spent time with Constantine and could not imagine what he might have in common with this dissipative slouch. It also appeared that he had a history with the head of Zatara College.
More importantly, he was popular among the students. The moment he reached the Strange College recluse, he was swarmed by mainly upperclassmen who apparently knew him.
Someone as standoffish as him would not usually garner such instant attention, even if he were of particular significance. Most people would secretly whisper about him being an eccentric, but the case with Bruce was completely opposite. People openly discussed him, revolved around him and even expressed admiration.
"Isn't he just too handsome?" Miss Spencer rested her head on her hand, "My aunt told me when I was home that Bruce Wayne is a mega hunk, even more good-looking than the main characters in romance novels. His blue eyes are simply the love tonic."
"Aside from that, can you guess what he brought us?" Kane grinned, "I'm guessing they might be gifts from the Wayne Family. I heard his butler had a birthday recently."
"Cut it out, I saw it." Lawrence joined in, wiping his mouth with a napkin. "A carriage full of bat puppets docked at the warehouse as I was coming over. We'll all have one in no time."
"Are they like the puppet I saw in the principal's office?" Miss Spencer broke into a grin, "The pillow that is a hundred times larger than the small bat toy included with our acceptance letter?"
"Seems like, those are hot merchandise around Gotham. They're selling for twenty bucks at the gift shop by the pier."
"Oh my God! Why so expensive?"
"I heard they're using a new felt technique and the filling is different too. Supposedly, it's exceptionally soft and fluffy but doesn't shed."
"Come on, let's quickly head back to the commons, I can't wait to distribute the gifts."
The news that Wayne had brought more gifts for the students quickly spread across the colleges. The dining hall had never been so free of chatter. Everyone hurriedly finished their meals, filling themselves up before excitedly rushing back to the commons.
Once they reached the commons, their eyes filled with the sight of several big boxes full of bat puppets. The girls were the first ones to scream. Miss Spencer darted into the pile of toys with never-before-seen speed, hugging four or five big toys all at once.