Chapter 24: Never Fall
In the afternoon, Baia decided not to return to her room and instead went to the Wayne family's library. She had exhausted all the books in her old apartment, but the library in Wayne Manor, which was comparable to a real library, gave her a whole new understanding of "wealth."
Actually, her love for reading mainly stemmed from boredom.
Since the landline in her old apartment obviously couldn't be used, Dick asked Baia for her mobile number, only to find out that she had been staying away from electronic devices, living a life akin to that of an elderly person.
Immediately, a brand new smartphone produced by WayneTech was arranged for her.
But as soon as Baia saw the electronic screen of the phone, she began to miss the UI interface of the system.
The system suddenly spoke up: "Miss me?"
Baia exclaimed in surprise: "You're back?"
The system chuckled: "Hehe, I siphoned off a lot of energy from the cosmic cracks and upgraded myself. After all, it's my first time being a system, so now I'm even cooler!"
Baia asked: "So, what benefits do I get from this?"
The system felt a bit embarrassed.
Well, there weren't any additional benefits per se. The system did become stronger, but due to certain rules, these benefits couldn't be directly transferred to Baia for the time being.
Then it suddenly had an idea: "You can now view detailed information about mission objectives!"
A brand-new UI interface in gold, white, and blue unfolded before Baia, exuding a breathtaking radiance. The interface was temporarily divided into three parts: Baia's own skills, shared superhero talents achieved through good relations, and a mission list.
It could be said that there had been a huge change in the system interface.
Firstly, there were small "+" signs added to the bottom right corner of the icons for Baia's three skills: Gold Oriole, Moon Dew, and Angel's Song, indicating that they could be upgraded. Additionally, there was a new grayed-out skill in the interface, which was the skill reward "[Frost Heart]" from the "[Heart of Winter]" task.
"[Frost Heart]" envelops friendly targets in unbreakable ice, restoring 3% of their health per second while in the ice, lasting for 10 seconds.
When Baia first met Dick, Nightwing's favorability had already reached the standard.
Now, besides the bright cat paw icon in the shared interface, there was also a large blue bird about to take flight. As for the row of black bats, red bats, and red birds behind it, each had progress bars of varying lengths.
Clicking on the blue bird icon, the talent description was exceptionally simple.
"[Wings of Night] (Passive Skill): Never Fall."
"Never Fall?" Baia asked curiously, taking the words literally.
The system affirmed her question.
The favorability progress bars for the black bat and red bird were both high, puzzling Baia. The former's progress bar was already over 70%, but there was a golden lock symbol at 80%.
It indicated that completing the "[Heart of Winter]" task was required to unlock the favorability progress for the bat.
The red bird's progress bar was also approaching 40%.
It was too strange. The red bird should represent Red Hood, whom she had only met briefly. But had she really encountered a superhero with the red bird symbol?
Baia was filled with doubts, her mind racing.
But every time she doubted, she remembered Batman's firm "no."
Baia: "Do you think Batman is lying to me? Why do I feel like all these symbols match up...?"
The system: "Um... probably not, otherwise, it would be quite embarrassing if you found out."
That would indeed be quite embarrassing. Baia nodded, finding the explanation reasonable.
The mission list was divided into three parts: emergency tasks, side tasks, and daily tasks. The system had always been stingy with task releases, but after the upgrade, it suddenly became more generous.
There was even a new task in the emergency tasks section, which Baia wasn't used to without the familiar notification sound.
[Emergency Task] Cracks on the Wall
Microscopic cracks appearing on the surface of the universe connect two worlds. Find out the truth behind the matter and solve the trouble.
Reward: 20 skill points, access to the store.
Note: Overachieving in the task may lead to unexpected rewards.
[Daily Task] Reach teammate-level favorability with a superhero.
Reward: 5 skill points
[Daily Task] Obtain the title of "Best Support" in cooperation with a superhero.
Reward: 10 skill points
Baia complained: "Where am I supposed to find so many superheroes?"
The system replied: "Who knows, maybe superheroes are right by your side?"
Well said, Baia thought. Tonight, I'll test my hypothesis.
As soon as Dick entered the library, he saw Baia sitting on the couch, lost in thought while holding a book, looking somewhat foolish.
Hearing his footsteps, Baia suddenly looked up. "Dick."
"Hmm?" Dick was a bit surprised.
"What's your relationship with Nightwing?" Baia's expression was very serious, catching Dick off guard with this sudden question.
"It's just..." Dick struggled to find the right words, already anticipating the dire consequences after his identity was revealed. But since Bruce wasn't ready yet, he had no choice but to brace himself for the worst. "It's just a professional relationship."
Indeed, it was a professional relationship, so he wasn't lying to her.
Baia scrutinized him with a gaze that was somewhat stern, reminiscent of Batman in a way that made Dick feel he had to muster all his counter-surveillance skills just to look at her calmly.
"Okay." Baia eventually gave up. She lowered her head and continued to flip through the pages of the book, muttering softly, "This is the last time I'll ask."
Dick felt uneasy, but then he remembered his purpose: "I wanted to ask if you wanted to go back to your old apartment to get some things?"
"Of course!" Baia put down the book.
"Let's go then," Dick ran his fingers through her hair, "We'll drive there. Is there anywhere else you want to go? I'll take you. I feel like you haven't really had a good time in Gotham."
Upon hearing this, Baia unexpectedly paused, lost in thought.
Heart of Winter.
After a moment, she looked up at Dick. "Can we go to Arkham?"
"DID YOU SAY WHERE?" Dick was taken aback by this request and staunchly opposed it, considering Baia's desire to see Mr. Freeze as excessively dangerous.
Baia patiently explained to him the reasons and consequences of Mr. Freeze capturing her, including her abilities. But Dick still refused to budge, at most relenting to let her visit Nora at Gotham Hospital.
This little girl really had no sense of caution. Technically, Dick's identity as Nightwing was unknown to Baia, so revealing it wouldn't be surprising for the Wayne family anymore.
No wonder she got caught. Sigh.
"But I don't want to go to the hospital."
"Why not?" Dick asked curiously.
Thinking of the first newspaper she saw in Gotham, Baia replied earnestly, "Because the hospital is going to explode."
The front of Baia's old apartment was already cordoned off with yellow caution tape, indicating that Catwoman and Holly had evidently moved out.
A low-key black Aston Martin was parked in front of the apartment building.
Dick didn't bring his own car back to the manor. Frankly speaking, in Bruce's garage, his car was already quite inconspicuous. "We can go straight in," the caution tape posed no challenge to Dick's long legs. He scooped Baia under her armpits and carried her over. "I've already informed Commissioner Gordon."
Baia slowly packed up, not caring much about most of her belongings. The only things she made sure to take were the pink diamond Selina gave her and Professor Green's book.
Thinking of Professor Green, she was planning to visit him. Firstly, to reassure the two elderly people, and secondly, because Professor Green was the person among all those Baia knew who was most likely to help her unravel the puzzle of "Heart of Winter."
As she turned around, Baia stepped on something soft. When she looked down, she let out a short scream.
Hearing the noise, Dick immediately ran upstairs, but when he arrived, he was somewhat resigned. The body of a two or three-pound dead mouse lay on the floor, and Dick could guess who was behind this.
Wrapping the dead mouse in a discarded bedsheet and disposing of it, he turned to Baia. "Do you usually not feed the Great Detective?"
"This is the most unjust thing I've ever suffered," Baia said incredulously, "It eats better than me!"
"Well, it must be really strange then," Dick concluded, "It doesn't even meow, it eats dog food, and it's not surprising if it hoards a few dead mice in the house."
The Great Detective, sleeping in the mansion, sneezed.
After packing up, Baia finally bid farewell to the apartment.
"I think I owe the landlady an astronomical sum of money now," she lamented, "After all, I'm the one who damaged the house."
"Don't worry," Dick reassured her, "Bruce has already paid for it."
Baia seemed a bit shocked at the news.
System: Someone pays off your debts and you're not happy?
Baia replied: How can I owe such a big favor to someone as soon as I arrive? I don't like it.
System: ...then find your own solution.
Closing the trunk, Dick and Baia knocked on Professor Green's door together.
Although the two elderly people had never met Dick, the charm of Bruce's heir was undeniable. The moment Dick flashed his bright smile, Mrs. Berenice immediately mentally classified him as the kind of son she wished she had, and warmly ushered them in.
"Oh, Baia," Mrs. Berenice said mournfully, "You have no idea how worried I was about you last night—"
Professor Green interrupted her in time, fearing that Mrs. Berenice might bring up any unpleasant memories for Baia. "Ahem, as long as you're okay, that's all that matters."
"I'll be moving out soon, but I'll come back to see you often," Baia genuinely didn't want to leave Mrs. Berenice.
Professor Green nodded, "But I suppose you came for something else this time."
The tragic story of Mr. Freeze was well known in Gotham. Combined with Professor Green's speculation about Baia's abilities, it wasn't hard to deduce.
Baia nodded, "That's right."
Professor Green guessed again, "Nora?"
"Nora."
"Child," Professor Green clasped his hands together, "Do you know? Sometimes, it's not that we lack a treatment for a disease, but rather... we're just powerless."
"Is there really no way?" Baia wasn't giving up.
"Perhaps there is," Professor Green said, "Based on my understanding of modern medicine, there isn't much hope. But in this world, with aliens, mutants, and people with powers everywhere... maybe there's always someone who can save her."
Baia paused, "I see."
Professor Green could tell what Baia was thinking with just one glance. "Still not giving up?"
The elderly man with silver hair stood up with his cane, picked out a few books from the bookshelf. There were classic reference books as well as the latest issues of The Lancet, a thick stack laid out on the table.
"Read them all," Professor Green said, "Then come to me. If I think you're capable, I'll contact all my old friends and students, and together we'll fulfill your wish."
He wasn't interested in whether Nora could survive. How many kind souls left the hospital every day? What right did a criminal's wife have to demand something special? But because it was a girl's wish.
"I will," Baia said firmly, "It won't be long before I can."
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone