Empire State University.
The early morning air along the road felt unusually fresh, but Batman's mood wasn't much improved by it.
This time, he wasn't wearing a plaid shirt; instead, he'd switched to a plain black T-shirt, clutching a stack of paper documents in his arms.
The time he'd spent registering shell companies and setting up trusts yesterday had taken longer than expected, leaving Batman no opportunity to patent the Memory Fabric the day before.
The paper documents he now held had been organized by Batman after spending more than an hour sorting them following his departure from Oscorp.
Today marked the second time he'd set foot through the gates of Empire State University since transmigrating into Peter Parker.
The first time had been right after his transmigration; Batman had used various experimental equipment here to conduct a comprehensive internal and external examination of Peter Parker's body.
The students passing by brimmed with the unique vitality of youth, and Batman seemed a bit out of place among them, but he quickly drew on Bruce's exceptional acting skills to make himself appear like a cheerful student.
He didn't interact with anyone, nor did he linger anywhere.
Having memorized the map and building layout of Empire State University in advance, Batman headed straight for the Technology Transfer Office, also known as the TTO.
"Very thorough documentation... It seems you've prepared quite well to submit this patent, Mr. Parker."
Miles Warren, one of the professors responsible for evaluating patents, smiled and said after carefully reviewing all the materials Batman had submitted.
Miles Warren was a genius in genetics and cloning, and also a biochemistry professor at Empire State University.
Information about the man flashed through Batman's mind, and he responded with a matching smile:
"Yes, Professor Warren."
"We'll spend a day assessing the patentability and market potential of your Memory Fabric, then decide whether to invest in and handle the patent application," Professor Miles Warren said.
"Professor, I want to retain full ownership of this patent, so I don't want the school to get involved in the investment," Batman declined.
Professor Miles Warren didn't seem surprised at all; while most students who stumbled upon an invention would accept the school's patent investment, there were also those who preferred to keep all the rights and turned it down.
The latter typically involved inventions completed independently, and Batman's Memory Fabric submission was no exception.
So Professor Warren nodded:
"In that case, you'll need to cover the costs of the patent application and maintenance yourself, and the school won't be able to provide you with resources or legal support."
"You've considered this, right?"
"That's right," Batman said.
The other university professors from various fields seemed somewhat displeased that Batman wasn't accepting the school's investment, but Professor Warren gestured to them that there was no need to push it:
"There's no need to force it; I believe Peter Parker must have thought this through carefully before making such a decision."
The other professors discussed it symbolically for a few moments before falling silent; no one wanted to openly contradict this world-renowned legendary professor in biochemistry, genetics, and cloning.
"Thank you." Batman didn't forget his identity as Peter Parker and appropriately expressed his gratitude to Professor Warren.
"You're welcome. I was just as confident as you when I published my first paper, and that confidence has carried me through to this day," Professor Warren smiled. "Peter, leave the rest to us at the TTO, but could you stay a little longer?"
"I'd like to speak with you for a few moments. Could you please wait for me in my office for three minutes?"
Batman didn't refuse. After leaving the TTO, or Technology Transfer Office, he headed straight for Miles Warren's office.
Along the way, Batman still didn't communicate with anyone, but one female student caught his attention.
Long blonde hair, fair complexion; Batman had seen her at the entrance of the Manhattan Police Department before it was bombed by Green Goblin.
That day, when Squid Man was being detained and sent to court, Chief George Stacy had a brief conversation with this student while standing at the entrance.
Thanks to Peter Parker's incredible hearing, Batman knew she was Chief George's daughter, Gwen Stacy.
However, after just one glance, Batman's gaze swept past Gwen, as if he'd only accidentally looked her way.
After waiting three minutes in Miles Warren's office, Professor Warren arrived as promised.
With only the two of them present, Professor Warren, without any professorial airs, took the initiative to pour a glass of water and hand it to Batman:
"Peter, I need you to do something for me."
Batman's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
Professor Warren seemed not to notice Batman's expression and sat back behind his desk, saying to himself:
"Oscorp has donated several sums of money to Empire State University, and his son, Harry Osborn, is naturally known to the school's teachers."
"Peter, as Harry's only good friend at school, I want you to use him to contact a biologist at Oscorp."
Batman's brow furrowed again. He'd even thought Professor Warren had recognized the market potential of the Memory Fabric and intended to collaborate with him privately. Batman had already prepared a reason to refuse.
But he hadn't expected Warren to bring up something entirely different.
Even Batman couldn't completely anticipate every event. He looked at Professor Warren:
"Who?"
"Professor Curt Connors. He's currently conducting scientific research at Oscorp and is also one of Oscorp's scientist directors," Professor Warren said.
Batman already had a vague guess about what Professor Warren was going to say.
"He and I are good friends, but..."
Professor Warren said, picking up a newspaper and handing it to Batman:
"Look, this is today's Daily Bugle front page. Oscorp has been taken over by the military, led by that infamous General Ross."
"Ordinary people might not know General Ross, but in the upper circles of various fields, almost everyone knows what kind of person that guy is."
Batman took the newspaper; he already knew the contents published in it.
Professor Warren seemed quite disdainful of General Ross, recounting what Batman had already investigated about General Ross's arrest of Hulk:
"...So, I want to ask you to relay to Professor Connors through Harry, to find a way to extricate himself from Oscorp."
"As a good friend, I'm worried that his research findings will be distorted by General Ross under various pretexts."
Batman nodded, not refusing Dr. Warren's request.
On the tree-lined paths of Empire State University, students passed by Batman in twos and threes, chatting and laughing.
They were in the same world, yet not in the same world.
He didn't stay at Empire State University for too long, driving a new car he'd just bought yesterday to Metropolitan Hospital in New York.
Today, Dr. Otto was to be transferred from the police detention cell to the hospital for the removal of his mechanical tentacles.
Since the tentacles were connected to the spinal nerves, the operation had to be performed by the most top-tier neurosurgeon.
Batman, in his capacity as Peter Parker, Chairman of Parker Industries, had proactively taken on this matter. Fortunately, Metropolitan Hospital in New York had a world-renowned neurosurgeon, Dr. Strange.
Dr. Strange, with his unimaginably steady hands and superb medical skills, had even earned the nickname "Hands of God" in the surgical field.
Inside the hospital at this moment, Dr. Otto lay on the operating table, his peripheral vision catching the anesthesiologist injecting anesthetic into his body.
He did not resist; instead, he closed his eyes and quietly awaited the surgery.
The four tentacles on his back were quietly lifted by several supports, and as Dr. Strange put on his sterile gown and gloves, the surgery officially began.
Outside the operating room door, heavily armed police officers stood guard in silence.
On the rooftop of the hospital building, Batman, already in his batsuit, was also silently watching, to prevent any accidents during the surgery.
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