Nora was also taken aback. While applying medicine to the lump on Billy's head, she said, "I'm not sure either, maybe it's just inflammation? Or a cavity?"
Shiller also called Aisha over. She wasn't hurt, just her hair was a bit messy. Shiller undid her braids, combed them again, and then said, "After Brainiac took over Earth, essential medicines are supplied in unlimited quantities, so there shouldn't be a situation where you can't buy anti-inflammatory drugs. If, as you said, the toothache has become so intense that it leads to irritability, it must have been hurting for a few days. With timely medication, the inflammation should have subsided already."
"If it's not inflammation, but an issue with the dental nerve due to cavities, a root canal should have been arranged. Brainiac wouldn't heed a child's fuss. Any cavities would be treated immediately, how could it have dragged on until now?"
"It is a bit unusual," Brainiac said, "I checked his medical records from two days ago. The records show no signs of gum inflammation or cavities. And from their family's purchase records, their diet appears quite healthy; none of them particularly enjoy sweets."
"The child indeed isn't overweight," Nora said, "He seems quite healthy. After an impulsive act, he quickly realized his mistake and apologized to us. He seems well taught."
"Such a family is even less likely to let a child's toothache affect their mood. Are they from the East District? Do you have their contact information?"
"Yes. They live near the Babylon Apartments," Nora said, "I heard that when allocating housing in the East District, you need to pay quite a bit extra to buy a place over there. It's considered a wealthy area in the East District. Their home seems to be a sea view apartment."
Victor also felt something was off. He quickly said, "Contact the parents. Just say that we were also at fault today and want to visit and apologize. Ask them when they're available."
Nora went to contact them. Victor and Shiller went together to the downstairs shop to buy some gifts. After all, you can't go empty-handed to apologize in person. While shopping, Victor said, "Do you think it might be..."
"It's possible. Children are more sensitive and easily influenced by certain things, especially if they have a mystical constitution."
"Oh, my God." Victor felt guilty again, "I thought the cliff was quite far from the East District, that it wouldn't..."
"Don't worry, if something does happen, it won't just be a toothache. Brainiac, check for any similar unusual cases in the East District recently. Cases where hospital tests showed no results but there were symptoms of discomfort."
"Searching now... there are indeed some similar cases. But none are serious. Most involve toothaches and headaches. Some have been diagnosed with psychogenic pain, showing significant improvement after consulting psychological doctors."
"It should be the influence of the Curse Xie Kun," Shiller said, "Looks like we should resolve it quickly."
"How do we expel it?" Victor said, "I'm really not sure about these things. Constantine might have a way, right?"
"No rush. Since psychological treatment helps, it proves it's not a major issue. We shouldn't be too hasty. If my guess is correct, the behind-the-scenes manipulator will act soon."
Victor nodded. They bought a set of utensils and some packaged fruits, and returned to the school. By this time, Ron had also arrived. He seemed a bit anxious, but calmed down after hearing Nora's description.
"How's the Justice League?" Shiller shook hands with Ron and asked.
"Busy," Ron said vaguely, "I can't stay long. Let me go with you guys. After all, this incident was sparked by Jenny..."
"Don't say that," Nora said, "It's perfectly normal for kids to have little fights. They're growing up through such social interactions. We should set a good example for them, shouldn't we?"
Ron nodded. So they all took the internal rail transit of the East District and arrived at the Babylon Apartments. It was called the Babylon Apartments because it's the tallest building in the East District complex. Every unit has floor-to-ceiling windows, and the higher floors offer sea views, making it the best residential area here.
They took the elevator to the 32nd floor. After knocking on the door, a somewhat affluent-looking lady opened it. She stepped forward and hugged Nora, then said, "You really went to such trouble. We're truly sorry for today..."
"It's nothing, ma'am. We were just worried that you would be too harsh on Little Rider. Billy, go ahead, go play with him."
The lady opened the door wider, and a few kids ran inside, then rushed into Rider's bedroom. They quickly started playing together again. The adults stayed in the living room to talk.
To avoid appearing to shirk responsibility, Little Rider's mother avoided discussing his toothache and instead promised to educate him to be less impulsive. When Nora inquired about his toothache, she said somewhat embarrassedly, "We actually went to the hospital for a checkup but found nothing. Rabis isn't a child who lies. It's just that..."
"Have you considered seeing a psychiatrist?" Victor asked, "Sometimes it's not pain causing emotional issues, but emotional issues triggering phantom pain."
Rider's mother was taken aback, then said, "That's something we hadn't considered. We'll take him later..."
"Oh, you don't need to take him elsewhere. There's a psychologist here right now." Victor gave Shiller a knowing look. Shiller came out with Aisha. Rider's mother sized him up.
"Are you also a professor at Gotham University?"
"Yes, Professor Shiller Rodriguez, Psychology. It's a pleasure to meet you, ma'am."
"Oh, you are Professor Rodriguez. I've heard Miss Pat next door mention you. She's a psychology graduate."
"Miss Pat is a very diligent student. She was even named outstanding graduate last year." Shiller said, "Let me see Little Rider. I'm quite worried about him."
So Rider's mother knocked on the door. The children were already playing to their hearts' content. However, Aisha quickly pushed Little Rider out. She said, "Don't be nervous. The professor's Mind Reading is painless..."
Little Rider apparently started having a toothache again. He covered half his face, showing some discomfort. Shiller looked at him and then said, "I know you're not lying. This should be a neurosis. Hypnosis therapy could be used for treatment."
After speaking, Shiller had him sit on the sofa for a meditation session, then performed a simple hypnosis. Upon waking, Little Rider sprang up and said, "Wow, it really doesn't hurt anymore!"
Standing in the center of the living room, Shiller looked through the floor-to-ceiling window at the sea. In the night, Gotham's sea was calm and wave-free. It seemed neither evil nor dark, but had a kind of tranquil profundity that appeared even more mysterious and unfathomable.
"Madam," Shiller turned to Rider's mother, "I think your child might not be adapting to the sudden change in the sky, which makes him feel anxious. I think it might help to draw the curtains. It would be better if they can't differentiate between day and night."
"God bless you," the woman came over and said, "Thank you so much, Professor."
"Brainiac," Shiller continued, "I think you can issue an announcement. Remind residents to draw their curtains. Prevent the darkness caused by this solar eclipse from affecting their psyche."
"I will." Brainiac replied.
After leaving Babylon Apartments, Victor asked, "Is it really the influence of the Old Day Dominator? Or..."
"A certain duel is underway," Shiller said, "It seems, the behind-the-scenes manipulator couldn't shake the stars. So they've turned to mess with these Old Day Dominators on Earth."
Victor immediately became nervous, "Will they start fighting?" He asked.
"He should be troubled by the inability to fight," Shiller said, "How do you fight a whirlpool in the sea? This whirlpool is even invisible and intangible. There's no concrete entity but it can induce astronomical phenomena changes and drive everything approaching it insane."
"The number of missing persons in the East District is rising." Brainiac said, "I suspect, the living corpses previously ambushed were sent to the cliff to investigate and never returned."
"Is there a way to check it out?" Shiller asked.
"I think I should be basically unaffected. But it's not certain. If I get contaminated, the consequences would be catastrophic."
"Alright, I'll go," Shiller said, "At least this way, I can decline Jenna's Christmas performance directing invitation. Just tell her I'm off to save the world."
"I..."
"You can't come with me." Shiller looked at Victor and said, "I'm certain I won't be influenced by the Old Day Dominator, but you're not certain."
Victor was a bit concerned but knew this thing couldn't be easily approached, even with the Grey Ring. So he nodded as Shiller drove away.
Shiller was very confident he wouldn't be affected by the Old Day Dominator. On one hand, it was due to the gray mist, and on the other hand, before he repaid Nya's debt, Nya wouldn't let him go mad by other Outer Gods. Although the debt wasn't technically his, assuming Anatoli could repay it was evidently even less realistic. Nya was determined to cling to him. In a sense, he now also counted as Nya's follower, impervious to contamination by lesser-ranked Old Day Dominators.
The beach and cliff remained desolate, the wind from the sea was just more humid. Shiller walked up the cliff along the path. And at the moment he stood at the edge looking down, even he felt dizzy.
In the deep darkness, a gigantic black whirlpool stretched to the horizon, like the ocean opening an eye. More wondrously, at the instant of being gazed upon, what should have been senselessly oblivious Old Day Dominators, suddenly seemed like wise men with ancient souls, wanting to convey something. Shiller could even feel, besides forbidden knowledge, there were emotions reverberating in his heart.
Sure enough, named Old Day Dominators are never simple. Shiller took a deep breath to gather his mind, focused on the whirlpool's center and there he saw a familiar figure - Hugo Strange.
He could no longer be called a human, for his body had become the battleground between the Black Death Emperor and Old Day Dominators. Just as Shiller anticipated, the Black Death Emperor was exploiting Hugo, attempting to solve Curse Xie Kun's secret.
This was not surprising. The Black Death Emperor can't affect the stars' operation, thus cannot glimpse the secrets deep within the stars. He might have even discovered, such self-contained system, wasn't something he could easily shake. Mishandling might even attract certain things from the stars. These mysterious beings are indiscriminate attackers, entirely unhelpful to the current situation, so naturally, he gave up.
But, it's easier to take on softer targets. This unexpected black whirlpool landing on Earth seemed like a solitary prey. Not only could his intervention possibly obtain secrets deep within the stars, but also solve the locks on the sun. Naturally, the Black Death Emperor would target it.
And the fallen Hugo, carrying the Power of Death in his body, is the best access. It's unsurprising if the Black Death Emperor is testing limits, directly facing Curse Xie Kun just like confronting Shiller that day. Surely, the Black Death Emperor won't go mad over just any Old Day Dominator. But Hugo is in a pitiable state.