Chapter 776 Deadly Joke (3) (Patreon)

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Selena still left, and Bruce couldn't stop her. His attempt to intervene only resulted in three bloody scratches on his face. As the fresh blood dripped down, the heavy scent of blood made him feel somewhat dizzy.

Back in the Batcave, donning the Batman suit and standing over Gotham once again, he realized that it seemed like he wasn't needed anywhere.

Schiller no longer pressed him to submit papers, nor did he call every few hours to inquire about progress. Schiller reduced his demands, giving Bruce time to return to his Batman identity.

Alfred took care of Aisha's school matters, sparing Bruce from handling it personally. Dick found his place in the new school, resumed social activities, and there was no need to worry about his mental state anymore.

Aisha was happy in kindergarten, without the expected attacks or escape attempts. Not only could she perfectly pass the daytime, but even at bedtime, she no longer needed someone to tell her stories.

Selena was gone. Batman no longer needed to spend time on dates or waste time circling the city with her.

Now, Batman had plenty of time to do what he wanted, like patrolling Gotham every night, combating criminals, developing better equipment, setting up more cameras, monitoring more locations, ensuring everything was under control.

However, he just stood blankly on the rooftop of Wayne Tower, with nothing on his mind and no actions taken.

Bruce Wayne's identity was completely empty now. He had finally achieved the state he had dreamt of—no one needed Bruce Wayne; everyone only needed Batman.

But for some reason, Batman's actions began to falter, no longer as decisive and resolute. Now, he was contemplating the reasons for all this.

He had abandoned all weak traits, no longer entangled in mundane matters. However, his posture wasn't as graceful, and his mindset wasn't as composed.

He seemed more like someone kicked out from the vast human world beneath the clouds. And the reason these weak ordinary people kicked him out was that they found him useless.

Was being godlike and independent because he was truly superior to humans, or was it because people felt he was useless in society?

Was a god another form of societal trash?

What was the difference between him and the criminals excluded from society?

Batman realized he had a kind of defiant notion, wanting to prove that Bruce wasn't worthless. But at the same time, he found this notion absurd because the one who looked down upon Bruce the most was Batman himself.

Contradictory emotions surged in his chest, and the illogical logic brought back the confusion he felt when he first became Batman. So, he wanted to find Schiller.

Schiller would ask him some difficult questions, but at least it would give his thoughts a direction. With a direction, there might be answers.

Batman arrived at Gotham University's campus. He knew Schiller and Jason should still be in an empty classroom. Without much thought, he jumped from the rooftop and landed on the classroom balcony.

However, there was no sign of Schiller, only Jason, focused on reading a book. Jason was so engrossed that he didn't notice a shadow appearing above him.

When he finally wanted to take a break, he discovered that Batman had been staring at him for dozens of minutes.

Jason was startled, almost falling off his chair. He heard Batman ask, "Where's Professor Schiller?"

"He... he's not here," Jason said, swallowing nervously. "He went to help Professor Victor calibrate the instruments in the freezing chamber."

"What are you reading?" Batman asked again.

Jason lowered his head to glance at the book he was reading. "The theories of the famous psychologist. I can understand some of it."

"Can you understand it?" Batman inquired.

"I can understand some of it," Jason said, tilting his head. "I just finished reading the theory of the psychologist named Freud, and now I'm studying Jung's. I heard they were friends."

Batman stood silently in place. Jason, with eyes on him, put the book down and looked at Batman. "You seem a bit unhappy. Why?"

Batman didn't speak, only asking, "When will Professor Schiller be back?"

"Not sure. Maybe he won't be back tonight," Jason replied.

"Why are you still here then?"

"Reading a book!" Jason waved the book in his hand. "Didn't I tell you? I'm studying the theories of the world's famous psychologists."

Looking at Batman again, Jason said, "You seem to be feeling very sad. Have you encountered any difficulties?"

Batman paused. It was the first time someone pointed out that he was sad, even Schiller hadn't said that. Jason leaned on his head and said, "I remember, last time I saw you, you weren't very happy either, but today seems especially tough. Why?"

"Why do you think I'm sad?" Batman asked.

"Just a feeling." Jason shrugged. "My intuition has always been accurate. That's how the Red Hood Gang managed to stand firm."

Before Batman could say anything, Jason slammed the book on the desk, and the spine collided with the wooden surface, making a crisp sound. He pointed to a sentence, saying, "See, this is the most interesting point in Jung's theory, called the 'persona mask.' Do you know what a persona mask is?"

"Oh, you're also Professor Schiller's student, so you should know. In short, Jung says that to adapt to various societal rules, people must wear a personality mask."

"We, due to the unspoken requirements of various professions, consciously exhibit corresponding behaviors. Once our behavior contradicts societal rules, people see us as fools."

"I find this really interesting because sometimes I can feel it."

"For example, surviving in Gotham, you can't show weakness. Everyone knows this rule, and we all know each other is bluffing, but we don't expose it."

"I lead the Red Hood Gang with a strong personality, but in reality, the leaders of other gangs who were scared by me also did the same. We all know that the other is wearing a mask, and who gains the advantage depends on whose mask sticks tighter."

"Do you have a mask?" Jason looked at Batman and asked.

Batman looked into Jason's eyes, even suspecting that the kid in front of him was Schiller transformed, 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, and Bruce Wayne is the mask.

According to Jung's theory, Bruce Wayne is created by Batman, a personality mask that aligns with societal expectations—a wealthy, idle, and philandering playboy.

The function of a personality mask is to allow people to live normally in society, to be a part of society without being cast aside. Breaking the mask comes with risks.

Like Batman's existence, a superhero with no mask, completely violating Gotham's societal norms, resulting in his abandonment by Gotham's society, unable to participate in normal societal life.

Jason pointed to a passage and said, "Jung believes that if a person's actual personality completely submits to the personality mask, it's very dangerous. If a person takes being accepted by society as the ultimate goal, they are likely to comply with any expectations society has for them."

"In that case, they completely lose their own character, and the purpose of living becomes conforming to the image society expects. To meet these expectations, they may commit various wrongdoings."

Jason pointed to a note beside the main text, "This seems to be Professor Schiller's annotation. He says that a personality mask needs both push and pull. If excessively focused on societal expectations, it should guide attention to personal needs, and vice versa."

"Only when personal needs and societal expectations are balanced can the stability of the personality mask be maintained; otherwise, it will lead to a state of anxiety disappointing both sides."

Batman's fingertips moved as he asked, "Did he say how to balance it?"

Jason shook his head, "Professor Schiller didn't write it, probably there wasn't enough space here."

Then, after some thought, he earnestly said, "I think this isn't so complicated. Sometimes, satisfying others' expectations makes you unhappy, but if you make yourself happy, it might disappoint others."

"But in the end, those who truly love you want you to be happy. They would surely want you to do what you love."

"If someone tells you to do what makes you happy, and it makes me very unhappy, then he surely doesn't really love you, or he thinks he loves you but actually just wants to control you."

"And if faced with someone who truly loves me, I'm willing to sacrifice some time, not doing what I love, but doing things that make them happy. Isn't that love? I want you to be happy, and you want me to be happy."

"How do you judge if someone truly loves you?" Batman asked.

"Haven't I said it?" Jason emphasized again, "If someone wants you to do what you love and is willing to put effort into doing things that make you happy, then he definitely loves you."

In that moment, Batman thought of many names, and he was shocked by the number of names. So, he stood still without moving.

People who wanted him to be Batman and were willing to make efforts to make it easier for him to be Batman were numerous from a broad perspective.

Alfred, knowing that Batman's career was dangerous, never said anything to stop him and took care of his life meticulously, leaving him with no worries.

Catwoman genuinely liked Batman's identity, thinking Batman was cool. She was even willing to restrain herself, stealing less, to win his favor.

Dick always admired Batman, wanting to learn from him. At the same time, when Batman's emotions were out of control, he tried to avoid provoking him.

There were also Gordon, Harvey, and... Schiller?

Thinking of Schiller, Batman felt a bit lost. Why was Schiller's name on the list?

Just then, a voice came from outside the door, "Jason, I'm back. What are you looking at?... Batman, why are you here???"

Before Batman could speak, Schiller, who walked in, pointed an umbrella at Batman. In the rainy night of the teaching building, Schiller's roar resounded:

"Batman!! You don't study yourself!! And you want to corrupt others?!!!"

Two minutes later, Batman, running for his life in the rainy night, thought, Schiller? He is an "ordinary person" living in the human world, and Batman is a god kicked out by the world.

Between man and god, there is no common love, but hatred goes both ways, very enduring.

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Next Chapter>>Chapter 777 Deadly Joke (Part Four)