The changes in Arkham Asylum are witnessed by the various Gotham local gangs. Some of them covet the benefits. However, all their plans against Schiller are foiled due to his manipulation of the intricate relationships between the different mobs.
Compared to Schiller, the previous trouble caused by the mobs doesn't seem clever to Bruce. Their first instinct is to resort to assassination, a method they are very familiar with. Even the smallest gang can find one or two hitmen.
But the deal between Schiller and Falcone brings unexpected and substantial profits for the crime lord. As the Godfather is getting old, he desperately wants to leave more for his descendants. Therefore, this sudden windfall holds great significance for him. If this system can be maintained, then Evan's inheritance from him will be more secure.
As a result, Falcone heavily guards the entire Arkham Asylum, with Schiller being his priority. For this purpose, he spares no expense in hiring top-notch security personnel.
Schiller's indispensability lies in the fact that Falcone sees in him the potential to create a new order. If this professor can truly bring more changes to Gotham, the Falcone family can seize the opportunity and secure a prominent position within this new order.
Among the local mobs, the largest one protects Schiller in any case, making it virtually impossible for the smaller to do anything. Falcone has been ruling Gotham's underworld for many years, and even in his old age, his influence is still palpable. The gangs have already suffered many losses and can't afford a direct conflict with Falcone.
Of course, if they can't kill Schiller, they can find a way to get rid of him and replace him with their own man. Not everyone has Falcone's foresight. Their only care is that if they have their own person in that position, the astonishing profits from that place will be in their pockets. Even without considering the potential wealth from the rules Schiller has created, controlling such a place can instantly multiply their power several times over.
They dare not confront Falcone directly, nor do they dare to snatch food from the jaws of a tiger, but they can still get up to little tricks.
Gotham's mobs also have talented individuals, some of whom are quite intelligent. They find Sheldon, the president of Gotham University.
Sheldon is always an unlucky guy. He initially wants to recruit several new professors to counterbalance Schiller, but unexpectedly, the newly recruited Victor Fries not only doesn't back up him, but also quickly allies himself with Schiller. In a short time, the two become close friends, and Sheldon's plans once again fall through.
He hasn't enjoyed peace for long before the gangs come knocking on his door.
Sheldon is an outsider and he has no influence in Gotham. However, the rule in Gotham is that you need at least one gang backing you up to have the right to speak. Sheldon doesn't get this, so the day after he turns down those gangs, he is shot on his way home from work.
The mobs see some use in keeping him alive, so they don't kill him. When Sheldon encounters the heads of those gangs in the hospital, he finally understands Gotham's biggest rule of survival - if you have a gun, you better have more bullets than others; if you don't have a gun, then shut up and follow.
Sheldon has a justified reason to call Schiller back to the school. As the president, there is nothing wrong for him to assign any academic work to the faculty. And if a professor refuses these right assignments, then he is in the wrong.
Sheldon comes up with a perfunctory excuse, thinking it won't matter if Schiller doesn't come back. This way, he can find trouble with him. He is waiting for it.
However, the day after he calls Schiller, Schiller obediently returns. He shows an extremely good attitude. When Sheldon sees him in the president's office, he can't find a single fault.
The reason Sheldon calls Schiller back is just some paperwork and other chores. While Schiller works in the archives, he remotely monitors the conditions at Arkham Asylum.
Sheldon has enjoyed observing Schiller's classes. After Schiller returns, he uses the same surveillance to monitor the archives.
And then Schiller shows him what it means to truly understand the people in Gotham.
In the following days, Sheldon hears Schiller on the phone, having conversations with the twelve biggest crime family bosses in Gotham. They exchange greetings at least a hundred times within three days. Along with the names of the crime bosses come terms related to various illegal goods or jargon about smuggling locations.
Among them, what terrifies Sheldon the most is their casual discussion about manipulating the police, judges, and juries, as if it is a daily topic like discussing what to eat for dinner.
Most importantly, one day Sheldon overhears Schiller casually say, "... if this mayor fails, replace him. He should be half responsible for Gotham's terrible traffic situation. Since he can't handle it, he still has a life..."
Sheldon immediately wants to pack up and leave this cursed city.
As time goes on, Sheldon hears Schiller's conversations becoming more audacious. They begin to involve some of the secrets behind the Falcone family's rise to power, including some hidden smuggling routes and plantation industries that bring substantial profits.
The more Sheldon listens, the more terrified he becomes. Although he isn't a local of Gotham, his long-term experience in political circles in other cities has made his political instincts sharp enough.
At this moment, Sheldon realizes that this professor of psychology, Professor Rodriguez, is definitely more than just a professor.
When something exceeds human cognition, humans always use their imagination to make it logically sound. Their brains automatically search through memories to find various details that can make these deductions sense. Sheldon is no exception.
He thinks, no wonder Schiller can directly send Bruce an expulsion notice so confidently. It's the reason. This psychology professor may be the biggest one behind Gotham. He secretly manipulates all twelve families and is the main cause of the current chaotic situation in Gotham.
The more Sheldon thinks about it, the much feel it makes sense. After all, Schiller's amazing resume doesn't seem like an ordinary person could have. And his ability to perfectly escape from so many murders may have also set up a big trap somewhere else.
Sheldon feels he is getting closer to the truth. Is he single? Or an organization? Who does he represent? What is he doing? What kind of results does he want?
Sheldon is startled by the associations with these questions.
In his mind, it is somewhat usual for Gotham's mobs widespread and for university professors to have connections with them. Just like here, most teachers and professors are more or less involved with the gangs. Either they have relatives and friends working for them, or they simply provide professional services to the mobs in exchange for safety and extra income.
However, it can't explain why a professor would simultaneously contact all of Gotham's biggest mafia families and be involved in the secret business of the godfather. The evidence that firmly supports Sheldon's thoughts is Schiller's tone on the phone, which is neither fearful nor flattering like others would be towards the mafia.
His tone is always calm, as if everything is under his control. Sheldon can tell that, he is in control of the gangs, rather than the gangs controlling him.
Sheldon feels like he is getting into a huge trouble. Schiller has the ability to influence Gotham's biggest mob. But he chooses to continue teaching at Gotham University, and seems to attach importance to this position. From Sheldon's perspective, if he has such power, why doesn't he just buy a mansion in Gotham's wealthy zone? Why bother living in the university faculty apartment?
There is only one possibility: staying at Gotham University is profitable for him. Or rather, there must be something Sheldon doesn't know about that is attracting this mad professor.
Indeed, in Sheldon's eyes, Schiller is completely insane.
Gangs is not some gentle lamb, especially not Gotham's biggest one.
The city's sins are almost overflowing, and everyone who has floated in this sea of evil for years has almost been tainted with evil itself. To stand at the forefront in such an environment, becoming the top player in this dark city, cooperating with any of them is like asking a tiger for its skin.
But Schiller not only cooperates with them but also simultaneously with all of them. Or rather, he even tries to manipulate them.
After witnessing the brutality of the mobs, surely,Sheldon thinks that Schiller's behavior is insane.
It is like cutting the most deadly wire among hundreds or thousands of tangled wires. If it is cut wrong, this group of flesh-eating, bloodthirsty wolves will pounce and devour this audacious person clean.
Sheldon begins to regret. Can't Schiller just stay in Arkham Asylum? After he finally got out, why does himself have to bring him back?
It is like throwing a timed bomb out and somehow picking it up again.
At this point, Sheldon is fervently praying in his mind that none of Schiller's tricks will go wrong. If goes wrong, it must not involve Gotham University. Even if it does, it must not affect him.
However, Sheldon has some quick wits to have reached his position today. He knows it can't continue; he has to take action.
One morning, Schiller goes to the archive room as usual, intending to do some paper work while remote controlling.
But as soon as he arrives, he finds that at least two-thirds of the files that haven't been sorted the previous day are all done. He checks with great confusion, and indeed, all the work is done.
What is going on? Is there a Fairy Godmother?
Well, since the work is done, it is unnecessary to stay here any longer. With a puzzled mind, Schiller walks downstairs. Just as he descends, he runs into Sheldon. Schiller raises the coffee in his hand to greet him, but Sheldon has a gloomy face and doesn't say a word, just walking past him.
Alright, Schiller sighs. It seems that this president still doesn't like him, but he is used to it. Since he sent the expulsion notice to Bruce, this president hasn't given him a good look.
But the only strange thing is that the president, who usually likes to dress himself up and is full of energy, looks a bit haggard today, with two big dark circles under his eyes.