Marcus had reached a point where there was very little left to teach Bruce in terms of pure combat techniques and physical training.
After all, Bruce's current strength was significantly greater than it had been when they first began training together. What was limiting Bruce's development now wasn't a lack of fighting ability or physical conditioning, but rather the need for time and extensive knowledge in other areas.
What would eventually make Batman truly formidable wasn't raw physical power alone. If the measure was purely combat strength, Bruce as Batman would never be able to match other members of the Justice League, no matter how intensively he trained or how dedicated he became to physical development.
After all, among the founding members of the Justice League, only Bruce would be an ordinary human being without any supernatural powers or abilities.
But now Bruce and Selina had successfully mastered the fundamentals of Zenurik school techniques, learning to condense and manipulate their own internal energy.
Given sufficient time and continued practice, they could continue growing stronger almost indefinitely.
Therefore, what Bruce urgently needed to develop now wasn't additional fighting skills, but rather the vast array of knowledge and expertise that would make him truly effective as Gotham's protector.
Thinking about this broader educational challenge, Marcus turned his attention to the surveillance images displayed on the monitor screens.
"Except for that enhanced Beastman we encountered, aren't these criminals rather disappointing?" Bruce asked from his position in the vehicle, his voice carrying obvious frustration.
The two vigilantes had successfully stopped more than a dozen criminal activities during their recent patrol, but the vast majority of their opponents had been ordinary people with no special abilities or enhanced capabilities.
With their current strength and advanced equipment, Bruce and Selina could easily handle these criminals even without using any of their weapons or specialized gear. These routine encounters weren't providing any opportunity to test or display their true capabilities.
"That's just the reality of crime-fighting," Selina responded with practical acceptance. "Although Gotham has a reputation as a criminal paradise, most of the people here are still just ordinary humans. Enhanced individuals like Bane and Bridget represent a very small minority of the criminal population."
Selina was absolutely correct in her assessment. Under Marcus's expert instruction, both students had mastered genuinely powerful abilities.
Combined with the advanced weapons and equipment that Marcus had provided them, dealing with criminals who were merely normal humans had become almost trivially easy.
When facing opponents that could be handled without significant effort, both vigilantes naturally found the encounters somewhat boring and unfulfilling. After all, such easy victories couldn't provide any meaningful indication of their actual strength or capabilities.
"But I suppose that's actually a positive development," Bruce said with a philosophical smile. "At least it means we've become Gotham's most powerful guardians, and the really dangerous enhanced individuals seem to have disappeared from the city."
Although Bruce couldn't find opponents strong enough to truly test his abilities, this situation also proved that Gotham remained fundamentally stable, and the most dangerous enhanced criminals had either been defeated or driven away from the city.
After completing a full circuit of Gotham's most crime-prone areas without encountering any significant threats, both vigilantes decided to conclude their patrol and return to Wayne Manor's hidden warehouse in the plains surrounding the estate.
In the warehouse, Marcus and Alfred had been quietly observing the approaching vehicle, waiting patiently for Bruce and Selina's return from their patrol activities.
"You know, there are very few individuals in this city who could actually harm them at this point," Marcus said, observing Alfred's continued anxiety about their safety. "Your protective approach is actually beginning to restrict their development rather than enhance it."
Seeing that Alfred remained cautious and worried despite the obvious improvement in his charges' capabilities, Marcus couldn't help but shake his head with mild exasperation.
Although Bruce was indeed the last surviving member of the Wayne family bloodline, Alfred's current level of concern seemed excessive even considering that important responsibility.
Alfred had maintained this heightened state of worry ever since Bruce and Selina's dangerous encounter with Bane, and his protective instincts were becoming counterproductive.
"I understand your perspective, Mr. Marcus," Alfred replied with obvious internal conflict. "But Master Bruce truly is the only remaining member of the Wayne family. I simply cannot allow him to suffer another serious injury like that!"
Alfred fully comprehended Marcus's reasoning, but he couldn't help feeling anxious about Bruce's continued exposure to danger. After all, their recent battle had clearly demonstrated that even their advanced battle suits weren't completely infallible protection.
Regarding the elderly butler's maternal instincts and protective concerns, Marcus could only respond with patient understanding and gentle disagreement.
During their discussion, Bruce and Selina emerged from the vehicle, but their expressions showed obvious disappointment and lack of enthusiasm.
"We're back," Bruce announced without much energy or excitement.
Observing Bruce and Selina's clearly deflated mood, Marcus felt compelled to address their discouragement.
Although they hadn't encountered suitable opponents during their patrol, there was no reason for them to become so disappointed about the situation. Marcus knew that their future held many challenges, and he believed that Bruce would eventually look back on this peaceful period with considerable nostalgia.
After all, the enemies that Bruce would face in the coming years would be genuinely powerful and dangerous beings. When compared to those future threats, the small-time criminals they were currently handling would seem like the weakest opponents he would encounter in his entire career.
Clap, clap, clap
Marcus applauded lightly, and the sound immediately captured both students' attention.
"Since you're both so disappointed with tonight's lack of challenge," Marcus said with growing enthusiasm, "why don't you practice with me instead? We can treat it as a comprehensive assessment of your current abilities!"
As soon as Marcus finished speaking, both Bruce and Selina suddenly raised their heads and looked at their teacher with expressions of surprise and excitement.
It wasn't that they believed they could actually compete with Marcus on equal terms—they understood perfectly well that his abilities far exceeded their current level. Rather, they were excited because they couldn't find appropriately challenging opponents during their regular patrol activities.
Now that Marcus was offering to provide a formal assessment, they would finally have an opportunity to gain a clearer understanding of their actual strength and capabilities.
Both students readily agreed to the proposed test, recognizing that their equipment and training were indeed excellent, but wanting to understand exactly how much they had progressed.
"This will be an excellent opportunity to evaluate everything you've learned," Marcus continued with approval of their enthusiasm. "We can test not only your individual combat skills, but also your coordination, tactical thinking, and ability to adapt under pressure."
Alfred watched this exchange with mixed emotions—pride in how much Bruce and Selina had grown, but continued concern about the potential for injury during such an intense evaluation.
"Don't worry, Alfred," Marcus said, noticing the butler's expression. "This will be a controlled assessment designed to push their limits without causing harm. They need to understand their current capabilities if they're going to continue developing effectively."
Bruce felt his excitement building as he contemplated the chance to finally face a truly challenging opponent.
"When do we begin?" Bruce asked eagerly.
"Right now," Marcus replied with a confident smile. "Let's see exactly what my students have accomplished."