บท 2199: Chapter 1489: The Bird and The Return (34)_1
"Why are you puzzled?" Bruce asked the voice within his mind.
"Because humans always possess an unnecessary vigilance towards great power." The voice that came from the Black Diamond replied: "They refuse to believe that they have an anger in their hearts that can drive everything, they are content with being weak, with no ambitions."
"But I do have these." Bruce extended an invitation in an implicit way, saying, "A glimpse into the depths of my inner rage will make you realize that I am different from everyone else."
"To be considered, do you intend to let me in?"
"I find it strange, do you seduce every host like this?" Bruce cast his gaze on the body of a man beside the road and asked.
"Of course not, it's just that these stupid common people go crazy out of fear when they hear my voice. I can only manipulate their bodies and I am unable to communicate with them. You are the first one who can answer my questions sensibly."
"Very well, it seems we are a natural pair, what can you help me achieve?"
"What are you seeking?"
"Knowledge, endless knowledge."
"Then I can give you what you want."
"On what basis can you say that?"
"I hail from a great existence beyond your imagination. I have been around since the dawn of creation, privy to all the secrets of the cosmos..."
"Let's hear one then."
The strange voice choked, making an 'Oh' sound. Bruce's tone was still lighthearted, it didn't seem like he was communicating with a mysterious voice that had invaded his mind, but rather he sounded like he was haggling over prices at a market.
"You say you have great power, but you might not, even if you do, you might not give it to me. You need to prove it somehow, show me some sincerity, right?"
"You damned humans!" The mysterious voice was filled with rage, it cursed, "Selfish, cunning, shortsighted!"
"Yes, that's us, that's the human race. Welcome to human society."
The mysterious voice choked again, after what seemed like an eternity he finally asked resentfully, "So, what do you want to know?"
"This isn't the place to talk, let's go back to the room and talk at length."
When Bruce returned to the Forgotten Bookstore with the Black Diamond in hand, he saw Red Hood holding a cup of water as he exited the kitchen. Bruce nodded at him, quickly ascended the stairs, returned to the study by the window, and began tormenting another vast existence with endless questions.
Red Hood placed the cup of water on the table. Shiller, who was reading a book at the table, looked up at him and said, "Thanks."
"No need for thanks, I just felt I should do something for you."
"Come here, Jason, sit down." Shiller gestured towards the chair opposite him and said, "Look at this."
Shiller handed him a book, Red Hood took it and frowned at the cover before reading out the title, "The Psychology of Magic?"
He flipped open the book and saw an aphorism written on the first page - "Understanding the psychology of the gods you covenant with is the first step to mastering magic."
Red Hood tilted his head in confusion, not quite understanding. Shiller put down the book in his hands and, looking into his eyes, explained, "What do you think is the essence of magic?"
"I don't have a clue about magic." Red Hood said bluntly, then after a moment of thought, he answered, "But Constantine said that the essence of magic is debt."
Shiller shook his head and said, "The essence of magic is negotiation, and the essence of negotiation is psychology."
Shiller took a sip of water, looked at his manuscript by his side, and said, "Magicians gain power by negotiating with powerful external beings, the strength of a magician only depends on the strength of the entity they negotiate with, and the amount of power they obtain from it."
"In that case, the essence of magic is actually choosing a suitable negotiating partner, and obtaining sufficient power from them."
Red Hood was intrigued by what Shiller had said, as he had never considered viewing magic in this way before. He thought back to the members of Justice League Dark that he had met before, and said, "The magicians I know always seem quite mysterious, they are tight-lipped about magic, and Batman doesn't allow us to touch upon this matter, he says it's not something good."
"Indeed, for Batman." Shiller didn't counter, he just nodded. Red Hood felt even more perplexed so he said, "But it seems like your view is different from his, you don't perceive magic as something mysterious or harmful."
"Jason, this is a separate matter, it's because of the essence of magic that Batman doesn't want you guys to touch it. Do you think, if magic depended on your own cultivation and all you needed was to work hard to get results, would Batman still prevent you guys from touching magic?"
"Batman always stresses the importance of cultivation to us."
"Yes, because that's the kind of person he is. He doesn't trust power that comes from other sources. He believes that if you come into contact with such power, you would likely fall under its control."
Red Hood leaned forward, listening carefully to Shiller's words. He felt Shiller knew Batman all too well, his analysis of Batman always unexpected yet logical.
"Batman thinks that magic would make you complacent. If you could easily borrow great power from other beings, what's the point of training day in and day out?"
Shiller looked into the Red Rood's eyes and asked, "Jason, can you guarantee that you won't be tempted, that you'll restrain yourself in the face of power easily attained?"
"I..." the Red Hood paused, but ultimately chose to be truthful. He lowered his gaze and admitted, "It would probably be difficult. Maybe I could resist once or twice, but with each instance, my heart may waver."
"Exactly. Every member of the Batman Family desires a special place in Batman's heart. If there were an easily obtainable power that could easily surpass everyone else, you would all be tempted. This is why Batman repeatedly warns you to keep your distance from magic."
"But my opinion slightly differs from Batman's." Shiller's gaze fell once again upon the manuscript. "I am not the type to urge the world to relinquish credit cards due to the risk of overspending."
"Credit cards indeed pose a danger, especially those that are easy to obtain without rigorous checks for the users, especially for young people, who are the most susceptible to consumerism."
"But, it's undeniable that early access to borrowed funds can save lives. Proper, legal, and regular lending can make society safer. After all, when you urgently need money and a bank can lend it, you wouldn't have to resort to robbery, would you?"
Red Hood nodded. The logic was simple, and he understood it quickly. He extended the reasoning a step further, saying, "So, even though magic is borrowed from others, if we can borrow it in a reasonable way and use it judiciously, it can prevent some people from using something more dangerous, right?"
Shiller nodded, a satisfied look on his face. He tapped his finger lightly on the table, "Devils often deceive humans into signing unfair contracts, and angels are not much better. But the fact that they can only deceive and not force, shows they have their reservations."
"But some crazier beings have no such scruples. They would bewitch any human they encounter, or even take direct control. At least magicians have the freedom to think. Actions wastefully powered can be curbed by reason. But those humans forcibly controlled are the true victims. That's why magic is justified in its existence."
Red Hood nodded once more, then, with a touch of eagerness, he looked at Shiller and asked, "Will you teach me magic?"
"I will only teach you psychology," Shiller returned with a smile. "But that is precisely our school's most formidable weapon."
Shiller took a breath and explained, "The power of magic comes from another intelligent life form. As long as it's an intelligent life form, we can understand its psyche and behavior. Even further, they can be misled and guided. If you master this method, you can indeed master magic."
Red Hood's brows furrowed tightly. After a dozen seconds of silence, he said, "It seems a bit abstract. Do you have a more tangible example?"
Shiller stood up, left his manuscript, and walked to the telephone stand below the stairs on the first floor. He dialed a number and said to the person on the other end, "Hello, Lucifer? It's me. Can you please make it rain where I am now?"
"Why? No particular reason… Oh, I see?" Shiller lowered his gaze, admiring the pattern on the carpet before adding, "Well then, you carry on. I'll ask Gabriel."
With a "whoosh", a gale burst at the entrance of the Forgotten Bookstore, and Red Hood looked outside.
Storm clouds gathered above the bookstore. A flash of lightning crossed the horizon as the sound of thunder and rain simultaneously filled the air. In less than a second, a massive downpour covered London.
Shiller put down the phone and came back to the table. Red Hood watched him speechlessly. He pointed at Shiller, then at the phone, then at himself. He lowered his gaze, his eyes sparkling as they fixed on the copy of 'Psychology of Magic' in front of him.
Before he could open the book, Shiller looked out the window, inquiring, "Where are Dick and Tim? Has Bruce sent them out?"
"Dick left to help Bruce fetch some items from Diana's. Tim was here just now." Red Hood looked around before continuing, "Constantine came back a while ago. He must have called Tim."
Shiller's eyes widened slightly in surprise. "What does Constantine want with Tim?... Never mind. You go read the first chapter, and ask me if there's anything you don't understand. Once you've finished the first three chapters, head to Hell and practice on a demon."
Red Hood broke into a radiant smile, rubbing his hands together. "I can't wait. I really want to see the look on Batman's face when he finds out I've learned magic."
The sound of rain amplified in the thick pine forest, deep green seeping into the wet earth like black ink. Vapor drifted above the cold earth, dense fog weaving through entwined vines, reflecting a grave light from the tombstones amidst the rain.
At the front door of the Cemetery of Ten-Thousand Spirits' caretaker's cottage, a few figures rushed into the little house. Red Robin took off his rain-shielding cloak, looking at Constantine, "It hasn't been raining in London for days and the moment you called me out, it started to pour. I don't know whether to call you lucky or unlucky."
"Typically, it's considered the latter." Constantine didn't seem to show any remorse. "It applies to our current situation as well. This rain will wash away all evidence of their activities here. We don't have much time."
"I don't need visible footprints to deduce. Isn't that why you've asked for my help?" There was no arrogance in Red Robin's voice, simply stating a fact.
"Then let's get started, detective. We need to know who took Kaz, and where they've gone."
Red Robin didn't say anything. He merely took the lantern from Constantine's hand, turned, and began scrutinizing the inside of the caretaker's cottage.
In the detective's field of view, the fine rain lines began to rise, the cold mist seeping back into the ground, the fire in the fireplace burned even brighter.
A loud crash heralded the arrival of an unwelcome guest in the gloomy house. Reflected in the eyes of the necromancer Kaz, who was examining a body on the autopsy table, was a woman with blood-red pupils.
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