Regardless, the new principal's prohibition law on campus was still being methodically enforced.
Any vehicle or shop selling alcoholic drinks was forbidden from appearing near Gotham University. Also, all gatherings and parties were subject to inspection. Dormitories were searched too, but they never confiscated any high-powered electrical equipment. They only flipped all the booze and reprimanded the students harshly.
Of course, these students lacked any true power of resistance. Although Gotham University had produced the Scarecrow, a major villain, most students were quite obedient.
Still, this measure clearly infringed upon someone else's territory.
Everyone knew what kind of city Gotham was. Here, alcoholics did not start drinking only after work.
Countless alcoholics in Gotham City kept countless bars and liquor stores in business. Each year, tobacco and alcohol sales contributed significantly to the total tax revenue.
Of course, you could prohibit students from drinking, but who would the alcohol merchants sell to if these students did not develop an addiction to alcohol?
Students were really easy to deceive. Any hobby they picked up at this age could potentially accompany them for life, including drinking.
If they began to drink at the age of 20, they could end up spending tens or even hundreds of thousands of US dollars on alcohol in their lifetime. Every alcoholic would spend a great portion of their salaries on various drinks.
The profits from selling alcohol, however, ended up in the hands of monopolists. They used these profits to continue production, then opened larger factories to hire these alcoholics at lower wages. The price they paid was simply two bottles of inferior liquor after work.
What a perfect industrial chain. All they needed to do was dump some tasty beer, beer first of course, then distilled spirits and hard liquor into the area around Gotham University, regardless of profit.
Gotham City had been operating like this for hundreds of years. If those people did not spoil students, wouldn't Gotham have become a civilized city with a simple and upright folk ethos long ago?
Shiller knew this very well, and so he never intended to be a good, responsible teacher here. This city did not allow any clean saplings to grow because only villains and criminals could survive here.
Turn Gotham University into a utopia? Don't joke. Those innocent graduates would not survive in Gotham City for a year.
This was simply a large vortex containing numerous smaller ones, from which no one could escape.
Ever since Shiller issued an expulsion notice to Bruce, the principal rarely mentioned getting his involvement in this matter. However, as his actions had touched a nerve in this chain of dependencies, he was under great pressure and had to seek another aide.
"Hello, my name is Harvey, Harvey Dent. I'm a lawyer specialized in criminal litigation and arbitration."
Shiller shook hands with Harvey, who said even before Shiller could open his mouth, "I've heard of you. You did an excellent job in Rushing City. That damned serial killer has was brought to justice and is still in jail."
He spoke rapidly, just like a lawyer. His tone was steady, and his determination was unmistakable. He then went on to say, "But I must say, you're not as successful in implementing the prohibition law at Gotham University as you were in your major cases. I think saving the future of this city is just as important as catching criminals, don't you agree?"
Shiller just relinquished Harvey's hand as he responded, "Perhaps."
Harvey could sense the reluctance in his tone, and he frowned, "I've heard about your exploits from the South, but you don't seem as zealous in fighting evil as rumor has it."
"Rather than that, I'd like to know who is spreading rumors about me?"
Harvey was taken aback, "Isn't that what you've been saying about yourself?"
As he evaluated Shiller, Shiller didn't look like a cunning and brave detective or an impartial judge. He looked quite scholar-like, very fitting to his professional demeanor.
Harvey was smart. He asked, "So you say someone is deliberately spreading these stories about you? But why would they do this? To make you famous? What's the benefit?"
Shiller motioned for Harvey to sit down as he took a seat opposite him. He said, "Perhaps, you only know the first part of the story. Later, I was framed in a case in Metropolis. Otherwise, why would I come to Gotham? It wasn't a good thing, and obviously, some people still don't want to leave me alone."
Harvey was taken aback. He said, "I'm sorry, in that case, you really shouldn't be so high-profile. But no problem, now I'm a legal advisor to Gotham University, and I fully support the prohibition law. Drinking a little is fine, of course, I drink too. But excessive drinking during their student age is not okay."
When Harvey spoke, he was always clear in his reasoning and logic. His tone was always firm, giving off an unconscious sense of security. If Shiller hadn't known that he would later become Two-Face, he would never have associated him with the coin-flipping lunatic.
Two-Face was a complicated villain. He was the only villain Batman had ever tried to save. Despite Batman's many attempts, he never succeeded. Perhaps this failure felt even worse than getting defeated by the Joker.
Because Harvey Dent was truly a good man. He was the Knight of Light for Gotham City.
Batman was deeply affected by him. When Maroni hurt Harvey in court and drove him insane, Batman truly realized that without the use of force and authority, the legal system and trials are nothing.
A despicable and dirty criminal had harmed a just prosecutor openly, but he didn't have to pay any price, and no one dared to prosecute him again.
Shiller put his hands on the table and looked into Harvey's eyes, saying, "Mr. Harvey, I believe you understand the situation here better than the new principal does. You should know how many people's interests will be violated by this."
"I understand that, but I don't care," Harvey replied.
Shiller sighed, took off his glasses, and began to wipe them with a lens cloth, saying as he wiped, "Maybe, you really are prepared to bear the cost of upholding justice. Are you?"
"Sounds like you've felt it deeply."
"Of course, because I'm lucky."
"Well, I believe I'm lucky, too," said Harvey. He still showed great empathy as he spoke, "I won't blame those who back off from this path due to various dangers. They're already doing their best. I'm not sure how far I can go on this path, but in this world, you don't necessarily have to reach the end to win."
Shiller didn't respond further. He shook hands with Harvey again, who then left. It was the first time Shiller didn't attempt to use words to interfere or persuade the other person.
Shiller once heard a wise saying: Don't try to remind a man who has been walking in the dark; he's not blind.
So Shiller wouldn't try to correct Harvey's thoughts either, nor would he tell him that his actions were futile for Gotham. Every action of Harvey's was correct, and each of his choices was just and right, but unfortunately, this was Gotham.
The Knight of Light couldn't save Gotham, and it's uncertain whether the Dark Knight could either.
Harvey indeed was a man of great influence. Unlike Daredevil Matt, who preferred to operate alone, Harvey was good at utilizing all the resources he could access. He got along well with both teachers and students. Even the staff had nothing but praise for him. Mrs. Maffy complimented him more than a dozen times a day and even wanted to introduce her daughter to him.
Even the majority of students, though unhappy about having their hidden alcohol confiscated, still admired Harvey, considering him as a career-successful, elite, and very kind person.
Harvey had only been at Gotham University for a few days and had already been welcomed by most people.
As for new Principal Sheldon, he became even more depressed. He was looking for a sacrificial lamb, not to become one himself. He simply wanted to find a scapegoat to lead the charge while he reaped both fame and fortune.
But just as Shiller was too rigid, Harvey was too popular, stealing nearly all of his thunder.
Few people knew the name of the new principal, but almost everyone knew the new legal adviser, Harvey Dent, a highly educated, high-income, and enthusiastic elite lawyer.
Among those who got along well with him were the notoriously difficult Shiller and Bruce. Shiller was willing to chat with him about life aspirations, as they had similar educational levels and were both alumni of Columbia University. They could reminisce about campus life together.
As for Bruce, he felt that he had a special affinity with Harvey. They could talk about anything together. Regarding justice, Harvey offered him many different perspectives, which greatly inspired Batman.
Shiller's dialogues, which entirely depended on comprehension, had accustomed Batman to first take a hit before going back and thinking quietly.
But Harvey was different. He would answer all of Bruce's questions as detailed as possible. When Bruce raised different views, he would not respond mockingly. He would not break his rhythm of speech, but instead listen quietly, express his views, and then carefully analyze how his views differed from Bruce's. If they couldn't reach a consensus, they would keep their own views and discuss them next time.
No one would dislike a friend like that - wise, seasoned, enthusiastic, compassionate, and knowledgeable. This was much better than the stress-induced life-shortening ten years one got from visiting Shiller.
Shiller was also pleased since Harvey's presence meant that Bruce finally stopped bothering him daily. Finally, the counseling room was quiet.
Except for a visit from Gordon in the following days, almost no one showed up here again.
Gordon came to send him an invitation. After all, he had been promoted, and it was even a skip-level promotion - an accomplishment worth celebrating.
Gordon didn't have many friends. His colleagues at the police station were somewhat jealous, so it wasn't appropriate for him to invite them. Therefore, he planned to invite Shiller and Bruce for a small gathering.
Bruce introduced Harvey to Gordon. The two hit it off instantly. In a sense, Gordon and Harvey were the perfect pair. They were very similar, except that Harvey was more aggressive and Gordon was relatively conservative.
Bruce had been left out while the two of them were having a great time. Shiller stood at the door of the counseling room, holding a wine glass, and looked silently at Bruce, saying, "Let's see, this homeless dog, soaked by the rain, has finally remembered where he used to live, his old dumpster. Should I feel honored?"
"Hey, don't say that," Bruce replied. "Although Harvey is great, I think you are better in terms of professional abilities, professor."
"Thank you for the compliment, but your credits for this semester are definitely going to be deducted to zero."