Chapter 5
"Two days ago wasn't just 'just'!" Stephanie screamed.
Hey, keep it down, this isn't my limit." Timothy yawned, squinting his eyes. "Back-to-school season is already busy enough, not to mention the negotiations for the partnership between Wayne and Stark, plus Black Mask lost a huge sum of money last month, Red Hood recently won two hundred million from Penguin in a massive gamble at the Iceberg Club..
The two girls stared at him seriously, their expressions saying, "Go on, keep making things up, let's see how much more you can fabricate."
Timothy's voice grew lower and lower.
This is the downside of knowing your family members too well.
Tim," Cassandra asked softly, "It's more than just a lack of sleep, isn't it?
"Fine, my body has a tiny bit of a problem," Tim said, gesturing a distance that was almost nothing with his fingers.
I'm afraid it's more than just a little problem, otherwise you wouldn't have kept it from us." Stephanie's cheeks puffed out in frustration. "You look like a zombie.
“Is it irreversible damage?” Cassandra asked again.
It's temporary. I didn't rush to deal with it because it wasn't serious; I only hid it because I didn't want Bruce to force me to undergo an examination." Timothy paused. "The examination would have been one thing, but Batman would have dragged me into a mission debriefing and demanded a self-reflection report of over five thousand words.
The reason was too reasonable to refute.
Cassandra hugged Timothy: "Tim, you are not alone."
Stephanie hugged the two of them: "You know, as long as you need us, we're always here."
I know." Timothy assured his sister, "My pale complexion is really just due to lack of sleep.
Go to sleep, now.
The two urged him in unison.
Colt heard a rustling sound.
Like wind blowing through leaves.
Living by the forest, this sound is extremely common.
Colt didn't pay it any mind at first, until he had entered his name into the elective list for art photography, logged out of the school's backend, his hand brushed against the Sound Auxiliary Transceiver sitting next to his mouse.
He touched his ear; there was no hearing aid, but the static remained.
Colt looked at Birdie dozing on the monitor, with a sudden thought, he looked into his inner mental space.
At the Dream Station, a dusty progress bar lit up, the little messenger was flapping its wings as it climbed upward.
A tap.
Little Red Robin's head had a thought bubble: [Fatigue Level: 81↓. Sweet dreams are calling ZZZ..]
Timothy is sleeping!
Timothy was actually sleeping!
Colt wanted to cheer.
What would Timothy dream about?
A peaceful and tranquil Gotham?
And what would be the most precious thing in Timothy's dreams?
Fantasy-class artifacts? Elven longevity potions? A super-sized particle collider? An alien spacecraft capable of space jumps? Or perhaps a mountain of Vibranium?
I hope it's not Vibranium.
The Vibranium that Colt bought will arrive in Gotham tonight.
Vibranium is extremely expensive, costing tens of thousands of dollars per gram, it is heavier than gold of the same size.
Colt dared to use up Dad's collection because he had used Stark's channels to acquire a batch of Vibranium, giving him the ability to replace it before Dad came home.
Unfortunately, Dad returned home early, it was too late no matter what he said.
Just as I thought of Vibranium, a notification popped up in the bottom right corner of the computer, alerting me that a special account had received a new email.
Cargo arrival notice, tonight at 9:30, Miller Port, Diamond Princess cruise ship, interface command 43XL007Cheetah.
Attached is the electronic invitation to the Diamond Princess masquerade ball.
Knock, knock." Joseph knocked on the study door. "Colt, may I come in?
The Birdie on the monitor moved, its small head tucked under its wings lifting up, before it hopped onto Colt's head and gave him a little peck.
Colt quickly exited the mailbox, switched the display interface to the translation website, picked up his hearing aid to put it on.
Without waiting for Colt's answer, Joseph walked in carrying a plate of fruit. He glanced at the computer, seeing that the desk was too cluttered to even set a plate down, he pulled back the curtains and placed the fruit on the small table by the bay window.
Sorry, Colt, the company just messaged me. My vacation is over, I have to return to the lab tomorrow.
It's okay, Dad, I can take care of myself.
Work at the Wayne Advanced Laboratory is very busy; it is normal for Joseph to not come home for several months when he has a project on hand.
Colt sat cross-legged on the bay window while holding Birdie, picking up a strawberry, biting off the tip to feed the bird, then eating the strawberry bottom himself.
Imported ones are delicious; even the bottom of the strawberry is sweet!
Robin Bird can keep me company.
Joseph leaned against the windowsill, picked up a note that Colt had carelessly tossed aside, smoothed out its folded corner while looking at the equations written on it.
I believe you can take care of yourself, but before I leave, we need to go to the mall to buy some things.
Joseph went on a massive shopping spree every time he returned home, fearing that the food at home wouldn't be enough and that Colt would accidentally starve to death.
Timothy was awakened by the banging and clattering sounds.
He felt great, having had a beautiful dream, even though he had been awakened by the noise, he still felt refreshed in both body and mind.
Timothy glanced at the time, surprised to find that he had only slept for three hours, yet he felt as if he had slept for ten.
Deep sleep, that was amazing!
It was likely the luck brought by Ghost.
Timothy leaped up, took a comfortable bath, groomed himself in front of the mirror.
The dark circles under his eyes had faded slightly, his complexion had become rosy and healthy due to the steam from the hot water, requiring no concealment.
Damian was chasing after Stephanie, Cassandra was intervening to break up the fight, Duke was leaning against the railing, watching while holding a plate of cookies.
“Hey, what happened?” Timothy patted Duke's shoulder.
It seems Stephanie accidentally ruined Damian's homework." Duke handed the cookies toward Timothy. "Damian knocked over the food cart, so dinner has to be remade. Alfred said it won't be served for another half an hour. Do you want some cookies to tide you over?
Thanks.
Timothy also leaned over the railing, eating cookies while watching the martial arts scene.
Duke was a year younger than Tim, as the new little brother who had only just joined the Wayne family during summer vacation, he appeared somewhat reserved.
Timothy took the initiative to start a conversation: "Are you getting used to Gotham High yet? There are fewer classes during the first week of the semester, both the track and football clubs are recruiting new members. Which club do you want to join?"
Gotham High is much friendlier than West Robinson, maybe it's because they know my guardian is Bruce." Duke scratched his head. "I might join a club that only meets online. You know, Beacon is active during the day, so I don't have much time to participate in club activities, I'm still quite short on my credits.
I believe you'll be fine with this," Timothy said with a smile toward him. "Let me know if you need any help, whether it's at school, at home, or if the Beacon needs intelligence support from Red Robin.
Alright." Duke nodded heavily, glanced downstairs, asked hesitantly, "Is it okay that they keep fighting like that?
Damian's weapon is a broom, so there was no bloodshed and the damage to the furniture wasn't significant; this level of intensity is equivalent to training." Timothy asked, "What about Bruce?
"In the Batcave, there is a cruise ship carrying smuggled contraband that is about to dock," Duke replied.
Timothy thought for a moment. "Penguin's Diamond Princess?"
Duke nodded. "That's the name. There's a masquerade ball on the Diamond Princess tonight at 9:30. It's supposedly to give tourists a taste of Gotham's unique character, they've invited several Gotham socialites to attend. Bruce received an invitation as well."
Timothy looked thoughtful.
The Diamond Princess is a massive cruise ship capable of traveling around the world, it is also a vital tool used by the Penguin for smuggling; Red Robin is also keeping a close eye on the ship's movements.
Rumors in the black market suggested that the shipment carried by the Diamond Princess contained a cursed idol of an evil god, which was said to have caused several African tribes to vanish.
Timothy decided to act together with Bruce tonight.
The war downstairs was drawing to a close.
Stephanie held Alfred the cat high, using the cat as a hostage to command Damian, successfully negotiating the five principles for peaceful coexistence within the Bat Family.
Alfred rewarded the peacemaker, Alfred the Cat, with a piece of chicken breast, solemnly handed the dog food to Damian, entrusting him with the care of the Bat-dog, Ace.
Hey, Tim, once we leave, the principle of peaceful coexistence will be under your supervision," Stephanie waved, "If that little demon brat dares to violate it, he'll be sentenced to one week of being banned from approaching Alfred Cat.
Timothy jumped down the stairs, bracing himself against the railing.
Cassandra raised her hands to give him leverage, helping Timothy onto the sofa.
You look much better.
You don't look so well.
Joseph looked at Colt.
Colt was still in high spirits while shopping, but once he had organized the supplies and was preparing dinner, his mood suddenly plummeted; when asked for chicken, he instead handed over beef.
Colt tried his best to force a smile for his dad. "I'm fine, I just wanted beef."
He really wasn't doing very well.
Timothy let him down by not getting enough of his four hours of sleep!
Just one hour short—to be precise, it was 59 minutes and 43 seconds!
The progress bar suddenly stopped advancing. The Dream Messenger flapped its wings desperately, yet it continued to drift downward like a falling leaf, hitting the bottom in less than three minutes. The progress bar turned a lifeless gray once again.
Colt's dream of sudden wealth died as well.
[Fatigue Level: 37↑. What a wonderful feeling, I can go for another 72 hours!]
!