Days as a Spiritual Mentor in American Comics-Chapter 4532 - 3615 Edge of Tomorrow (24)

Shiller accompanied Billy and Victor back to their home. After Shiller came in, Victor signaled to Nora, who took Billy to play in the backyard.

Shiller briefly repeated the conversation he had with Billy, and then said, "I think you might have already noticed, he has had quite a few setbacks in the past, leading to low curiosity and exploratory desire, showing an avoidance state."

"How exactly can this state be improved?"

"Maintain sufficient patience, of course—these are just empty words. If I were to be specific, I would suggest you cultivate common interests with him, answer his every question thoroughly, and explore the world with him."

"I'm trying to do just that," Victor said, "He is very interested in soccer, and I practice shooting goals with him; he also likes to read picture books, and we often look at them together."

"This is a long-term job, but it can't solve the current problem. Right now, he is troubled by the power Old Shazam gave him, so there is only one method left, which is for you to study magic."

Victor opened his mouth. Shiller knew what he wanted to say, so he said, "I know you are a scientist, and you are naturally against mysticism, but I'm not asking you to train to become a magician. I think starting with Olympus Mythology is a good choice."

"That's right." Victor touched his chin and said, "Billy also told me before that Shazam's power comes from the Olympian Gods on Mount Olympus, but he seems to only know that such a place exists and doesn't really understand the gods. Maybe I could buy some picture books on this topic?"

"Of course, and they must be children's books. You wouldn't want Billy to know about Zeus's scandals, would you?"

Victor immediately turned his head and said, "Brainiac, help me search for children's book collections related to Mount Olympus mythology, rich in illustrations and of good quality. Buy the top ten sets."

"Alright. Brainiac is selecting relevant products for you..."

"Old Shazam won't give up easily," Shiller said, "I suggest you have a word with Ron. If he pulls some tricks while Billy is in school, the Martian Manhunter will show him how powerful it is."

Victor nodded. He seemed to remember something and said, "Did Brainiac give you some tasks?"

"Yes, I said I was going to play cards, and he wasn't pleased. But when I said I was going to attend a consultation, he felt much better."

Victor said with some concern, "He has packed Nora's and my schedule very tightly, of course, it's all within our capability, and following the schedule will indeed improve efficiency in producing results, but I must balance family life."

"Perhaps you could make him promise to take good care of Billy."

"Will he promise? He's just an artificial intelligence."

"Of course. If he can't take good care of everyone, he has no right to schedule your tasks. Moreover, pure order creations like electronic life naturally oppose magic. Even if you don't say it, he wouldn't allow Old Shazam to cause trouble."

"Well, looking at it this way, his world domination might have some benefits." Victor nodded thoughtfully.

After leaving Victor's house, Shiller didn't go to work but drove to his own shop. On the way, he said to Brainiac, "So? How many people made it to class today?"

Brainiac paused for a moment and then said, "As you expected, Professor, not a single one did."

Shiller noticed that Brainiac seemed to have given him a dedicated thread, with a tone and intonation much richer than the generic version.

"Then what are they doing?" Shiller asked, knowing the answer.

"One posed as a police officer, infiltrated the Gotham Police Department, and poisoned a prisoner detained there; one waited half an afternoon on Diamond Street and took back the body of a jumper for dissection; one infiltrated a parade nearby and successfully incited a conflict between them and a local gang, leading to a shootout; and one is attempting to stuff a frozen human corpse into a moose's body."

"Such a productive afternoon," Shiller remarked.

"They have a peculiar interest in harming their own kind. Considering they are all studying the same major, researching the same direction, and have the same mentor—Professor Shearer, don't you think you should say something?"

"I only feel sorry."

"For the victims?"

"For my students. They can only fruitlessly research humans from a physical level and can never directly experience the wonders of their psychic battlefield, which is truly a pity."

Brainiac stopped speaking. When the car was about to arrive, he then said, "Based on my analysis, such majors and research directions are of no benefit to human development. I am considering the possibility of abolishing this major."

"Are you talking about Psychology or Theoretical Psychology?"

"Humanity needs Applied Psychology and psychiatrists, but having so many researchers in theoretical directions seems unnecessary."

"What do you intend to do? Make all theoretical psychologists change professions?"

"From your past articles and research accomplishments, you have also made significant contributions in applied psychology. So why not return to your old profession?"

"If I said that wasn't me, you wouldn't believe it. But the fact is, applied psychology requires more ample patience and rich experience in dealing with patients, and I think I'm incapable of doing it."

"But recently you've also been providing psychological counseling to a limited number of patients."

"Yes, but I've refused more patients, keeping only those within my capacity."

"Then I suppose you could expand on this, taking on as many patients as possible, or perhaps accept a consultant position at the hospital to contribute more to human psychological health."

"Are you trying to set me up with patients?"

"I have a few candidates," Brainiac said, "They should be entirely within your capability, able to pay for psychological counseling, and require long-term treatment."

Shiller actually wanted to ask him how he determined his capability, but he first asked, "How much revenue do you expect it will bring me?"

"If you take all six patients and conduct weekly consultations, it could provide you with an income of approximately 63,000 US Dollars in fees over a year. This would be quite beneficial for your current financial situation."

"Six patients can bring in 63,000 US Dollars?"

"Yes, considering your status in the industry, this price is quite reasonable. Plus, they are all notable figures, and if the consultations are held at the Gotham University Office, it would also enhance Gotham University's reputation."

"Sounds pretty good."

"So you're agreeing?"

"I refuse," Shiller said.

"Why?" Brainiac's tone was full of bafflement.

Shiller didn't answer because he really couldn't explain to Brainiac the difference between his current self and his former self.

Brainiac's assessment of his applied psychology skills probably came from Anatoli. But who is Anatoli? A tough guy whom even Shiller can handle.

If patients are chosen at that level, then the patients Brainiac selects would be extremely difficult to deal with. Even if they offer a high price, Shiller couldn't treat them effectively at all.

Moreover, even if their problems aren't significant, Shiller couldn't guarantee he could tolerate them. Being a psychological counselor is a service industry; considering the amount of money they're spending, Shiller would have to cater to their moods. If he couldn't hold back from making blunt comments, it would be problematic.

Brainiac started rambling again, basically trying to persuade Shiller from various angles by saying it would make money and enhance Gotham University's reputation.

Shiller sighed and said, "I can't handle this job. But there might be someone who can, it's just that his rates are nowhere near low."

Brainiac thought he wanted to negotiate prices, so he said, "Price can be discussed. If you're willing to take on more working hours, doubling the fee might not be an issue."

"I'm not just talking about money. If he comes, your Brainiac Center could be renamed Rodriguez Center."

Shiller got off the car and walked toward his shop, only to see an unexpected person—Constantine. He was sitting beside the side door of the shop, lost in thought.

As Shiller walked in, Constantine acted like he had seen a savior and said to Shiller, "I'm really going crazy! I just wanted to occasionally write something I like, but now it's become a profession. I'm even being hounded daily for deadlines! I'd rather become a magician!"

"Brainiac arranged a lot of work for you?"

"What Brainiac, it's Brand! Brand had seven meetings arranged by Brainiac in three days, so he vented his frustration on me! He wants me to turn in the manuscript by this Friday!"

"So you're still writing books for him?" Shiller casually picked up a bundle of dried flowers from the side and looked at it, then said, "Is it the second part of 'The Gloom of Faralines'?"

"Exactly! After that draft, more new players arrived, and although they didn't bring much novelty, it was enough to piece together the plot for a second part." Constantine grabbed his head and said, "I shouldn't have agreed to write the first part for him!"

"Look on the bright side, you're a well-known author now," Shiller walked to the cashier to check the accounts and said, "How much income did the first part bring you? Was it a hundred thousand?"

"Much more than that! But I wrote for quite some time, and now I have to submit instantly, and I have no inspiration! I'm already planning to hide in Hell."

"The Demon Kings would welcome you," Shiller laughed and said. Just as he was about to continue talking, his phone rang.

"Professor Shiller, Brainiac just messaged me saying you want to go back to teaching basic psychology to undergraduates?" Xi Wana's voice came from the other end of the phone, "It's perfect timing; we're short of teachers for foundation courses. If you could come, that would be great."

Shiller opened his mouth. He actually wanted to refuse. He had stopped teaching foundation courses years ago, mainly because the student's pass rate was relatively low, and he didn't want to intervene, so frequent student complaints led him to stop teaching altogether.

However, he thought if he refused, Brainiac would find something else for him to do. So he directly said, "Yes, I think I can go back to teaching basic courses. Please help me arrange the schedule, Principal."

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"Is this okay now?" After hanging up the call, Shiller spoke to Brainiac through the phone, "But let me make it clear, I will not lower the difficulty of the exams or intervene. If anyone complains, I'll say it was your doing."

"My pleasure, Professor."