After hanging up the call, Lady Goth found her hand trembling slightly. Despite having navigated the business world for many years, she had never engaged in actions like contract killings. At the same time, she sighed in relief, knowing that once the person was dead, their transaction would remain a secret forever.
Lady Goth felt that everything had been progressing smoothly of late.
Although the plan to control Vivian failed, an alternative, Catwoman, quickly emerged. Her daughter was also making good progress, having already encountered Bruce Wayne. Probably, she would soon draw his attention. If she could also seal the shipyard deal, she could potentially control unimaginable powers with the Great King.
The next morning, Shiller woke up early, quickly finished breakfast, and even skipped reading the newspaper. Before Merkel could react, Shiller had already put on his coat, grabbed his umbrella, and was ready to leave.
Merkel watched, puzzled, as Shiller hurriedly left. He glanced at the clock on the wall. It was only 6:30 in the morning.
Ignoring Merkel, who had once again been shocked by his mysterious routine, Shiller drove to Gotham University, or rather, the Vocational Education College of Gotham University.
Victor, who had just arrived to deliver something, was surprised to see Shiller. He walked up and asked, "Why are you here this early? How did you get up so early today anyway?"
"Never mind that, where are the students?" Shiller asked.
"Of course they're in their dorms. It's still quite early, and they haven't woken up." Victor turned to see that most of the lights in the teaching building were off. Obviously, the students inside were deep asleep.
Shiller briskly walked into the dormitory building, with Victor trailing behind. Shiller had an umbrella in one hand, and with the other, he snapped his fingers. With a "ding", a halo appeared above his head.
Under Victor's astonished gaze, Shiller took off the halo.
Then he started banging on the doors of each dorm room.
"Wake up! Wake up! What's the time? Hurry to the classroom!! Everyone should show up, don't let me find anyone missing!!!"
"Get up! It's dawn!!" Shiller swung the halo in his hand, illuminating the entire dormitory. Everyone was shielding their eyes, flabbergasted, but Shiller pointed at the beds one by one and said, "Get up fast! Stop lazing around, gather in the main classroom!"
"Wake up! Wake up! Get up everyone, look at the time?!"
"Wake up, now!!!"
Only after he had roused all the students in the two floors, did Shiller leave swiftly with his umbrella. Victor followed him, asking, "Shiller, what are you doing?"
Shiller ignored him and just swiftly walked into the classroom downstairs. He stood in front of the lectern and looked at his watch. He said, "Help me take note, any student who arrives after 7:00, note them all down. Tonight, I will pay a personal visit to their area's boss."
Victor stared at him, but Shiller's wake-up call was very productive. The halo was too bright, and most people were jolted awake. Remembering Shiiler's notorious reputation, they all quickly got out of bed and went to the classroom.
Although everyone was still sleepy and swaying, at least they were there. However, because the incident was sudden, many people were not prepared. Therefore, when the clock struck seven, only half the students had arrived, while about one-third of the students were yet to reach.
Shiller accepted a list of students from a teacher who had just arrived, comparing names and photographs to note the absent students. It wasn't until 7:30 that the tardy students trickled in, drowsy and late, to their seats.
Once everyone had arrived, Shiller lightly tapped the lectern, attracting the attention of all. Several students who had woken up were listening attentively because, although they had heard of the renown professor, they hadn't attended his classes before. They were curious as to what Shiller had to say.
"Today, let's talk about the attitude towards learning," Shiller announced from the lectern.
"You might think I am insane, pulling you out of bed at 6 am to talk about such meaningless topics."
"Yes, many will think that these talks are pointless. You came here to learn technology, and during this time, you should familiarise yourselves more with the car's performance, understand the distribution of wires, or directly go for on-field operations…"
"Regretfully, I must inform you that over the past two days, I have noticed a severe issue in class — several individuals have a serious problem with their learning attitude."
Shiller spoke with gravity. Some students in the front row shivered, looking at each other, wondering who he was referring to.
A black female student, her ears adorned with rings, glanced at another female student diagonally in front of her. The latter, with long, pale blonde hair and wearing a conspicuous dress, was sleeping soundly on the desk.
Several sturdy male students nearby also glanced in that direction, exchanging views through eye contact.
"Theresa Goode." Shiller called out this name directly, but Miss Goode, who was sound asleep on the desk, didn't move.
Seeing Shiller's stern face, the female student beside him quickly shook Theresa awake. Theresa woke up, bewildered. Her eyes met Shiller's for a moment, and she sobered up instantly as if doused with cold water.
"Miss Goode, can you answer a question for me? What are you doing here?" Shiller asked.
"I, I came to study," Tracy replied somewhat perplexedly.
"Really? Have you truly come to learn?" Shiller further probed. He stared at Theresa's eyes and repeated the question – a common interrogation technique.
Tracy remained silent for a moment before murmuring, "Perhaps…"
"I should tell you that you're not here to study. Your mother sent you to this school with alternate motives," Shiller divulged.
Having visited Goth Estate last night, Shiller was well aware that Lady Gothic probably had a secretive plan, and her daughter was part of it.
Shiller's voice grew colder. He looked at Tracy, whose face reddened, and speaking in a serious tone declared:
"However, I don't care about your motives. As long as you are here, you can only do one thing, and that is to throw yourself into the great process of learning."