Days as a Spiritual Mentor in American Comics-Chapter 4594 - 3675: New Christmas Atmosphere (End)

Snow fell again on Christmas Day. Gotham was draped in silver, and the temperature dropped to the lowest point of the year. However, people's spirits were not dampened in the slightest. They had spent more than half a year in tense and fearful atmospheres, weary and anxious every day, so the festive holiday after the total victory seemed particularly delightful.

Many people took to the streets to begin a victory parade. Large-scale celebrations were spontaneously organized everywhere. Various human heroes took turns giving speeches on television. The icons of "Brainiac" and "Earth" appeared at every public venue. The city was adorned with lights, filled with laughter and joy.

At this moment, when the old century was about to end, and the new century was about to begin, Earth ushered in a brand new era—an era where past gloom and troubles were cast aside, and a dreamy new life was embraced with open arms.

Adjusting the star at the top of the Christmas tree to face the door, Shiller descended from the ladder. Victor excitedly came in and said, "Why are you still here? The gift exchange has already started in the office. Let's go!"

Shiller dusted off his suit. Victor paused and said, "Finally, you're not wearing that outdated black suit anymore. This one's much more vibrant."

Today, Shiller was wearing a dark gray suit, with modern tailored features such as the latest double-breasted style, and more fitted cuffs. This made him look much younger.

"Don't rush, let me grab my gift box." Shiller circled around to his desk and retrieved a box from his cabinet.

"What did you prepare?" Victor curiously asked.

"It wouldn't be fun if I told you," Shiller said as he headed toward the door. "Let's go, we're off to exchange gifts."

When they arrived at the office, many professors were already there, warmly chatting with glasses of wine in hand. Shiller also grabbed a glass of ice wine and discussed the recent football game with the sports department teachers.

Xi Wana soon arrived. Now Brainiac was the nominal principal of all universities in America, but in reality, the original principals continued their work. Some things always required human touch, such as mingling with all the professors as Xi Wana was doing now.

Xi Wana chatted with each professor, soon reaching Shiller. Shiller raised his glass and said, "Good evening, Principal. Just came from the Magic Academy?"

"Yes, a new batch of children just arrived there, and the sorting ceremony was just held. It was quite lively. But congratulations are in order for you; your School of Magic Theory has welcomed a group of very promising students. They are sure to make a name for themselves in the magic realm."

"You flatter me." Shiller glanced at his watch and said, "It's getting late. There's still the banquet later. Shall we begin the gift exchange?"

Xi Wana nodded, walked to the front of everyone, and after some pleasantries said, "Merry Christmas, everyone. Let's begin the gift exchange! Everyone should exchange gifts with the colleague on their right..."

Although it seemed random, the position was self-chosen, and most people had already selected the recipient and prepared gifts according to the recipient's preferences. To Shiller's right was Victor, to whom he directly handed his gift.

Victor took the blue box, weighed it with his hands, and said, looking at the bow on the ribbon, "This is definitely not tied by you; your knot-tying skills aren't this good."

"Yes, I asked Pamela to help. But her knot-tying skills are pretty bad too. Finally, Mrs. Pins helped me fix it."

"Let me see what you prepared for me... Oh my God! A ticket to 'Dear Girl Cynthia'! These are so hard to find; where did you get it?!"

"Did you forget? I'm quite familiar with the theater's owner. He reserves tickets for me at every show."

"But it's a Christmas Eve ticket! Aren't those only given to insiders?"

"Isn't a friend of the lead considered an insider?"

"Oh, how could I forget. The lead of this play is Selina!" Victor looked at the two tickets in the box and said, "Great, I'll call Nora right now. Also, Billy can attend for free, right?"

"Yes, admission is free for children. If you're going, you'd best head out now to get a good seat in the front row."

Victor happily left. Shiller lingered at the venue for a while longer but soon returned to his office.

"Dear Girl Cynthia" is a play produced during the war era, telling the story of a Latino female worker who went to work on Krypton to support the war effort and bravely rescued a family during a factory attack incident.

This was adapted from a real event that touched many people at the time, and it later became a play, also marking Selina's breakout role. The protagonist Cynthia she portrayed hailed from a Mexican slum but was always strong, optimistic, and willing to help others, very much in line with Selina's image and temperament. In a war era with hardly any entertainment, many found inspiration in this character.

The play is notoriously sold out, especially since tonight was Christmas Eve, basically an internal appreciation show meant only for the theater's staff. If it weren't for getting internal tickets from Selina, Shiller wouldn't have been able to attend either.

If all goes as planned, Bruce would propose after the show ends. However, when Shiller arrived at the theater, he didn't notice anything special or know how Bruce had arranged it.

Shiller walked into the theater, and Victor waved at him. Shiller walked over and sat behind Victor.

The curtain opened, revealing a scene typical of a Mexican slum. Selina, dressed very plainly, flew in from backstage like a bird, greeting the people around her with a Spanish folk song.

Selina's background made her very skilled at portraying such a character from the lower class—kind yet feisty, quick-witted but holding true to her principles, never giving up, always seizing every opportunity. Everyone would be moved by her vitality.

The play was performed brilliantly, and Shiller watched it intently. When Cynthia stood up to denounce the bullying security guard, the theater erupted in enthusiastic cheers; when the alien monster's terrifying attack caused her best friend to die, people sighed in sorrow.

After more than three hours, the plot finally reached its climax—a small alien force landed less than 20 kilometers from the factory, and even blew up a factory there. Everyone wanted to run in the opposite direction, except this kind girl, who wanted to rescue a family that had taken care of her.

She dodged alien pursuit through the ruins, switching various modes of transportation, and finally reached the bombed factory. Not only did she rescue the family, but she also managed to send out a signal of the attack, and the attacking forces were quickly annihilated.

When the news of victory was announced, the entire audience stood up, cheering and applauding. Then the "chubby mom" from the rescued family hugged Cynthia and said, "Let us go back with you. We can continue working there, helping more front-line warriors to defend our homeland."

On stage, Selina was momentarily stunned. This line wasn't in the script, which ended when the news of victory was delivered.

But she was still pulled down from the stage by the actors. The curtain closed and reopened, and everyone thought the cast would take a bow, but instead, the stage props had changed to a vast field of flowers.

The previously rescued family of three were the first to take the stage, but it wasn't to give thanks; instead, they turned and shouted to the backstage, "Come on! There's a great guy waiting for you!"

Selina, pushed by the other actors, was sent out. As soon as she came out, she was taken aback, looking at the flowers before covering her mouth in realization.

Bruce, dressed in a suit, walked out from backstage. Selina gave a big smile, looking slightly helpless, and then all the actors rushed out from the backstage. The audience erupted with cheers.

"God, I haven't even changed my clothes yet." At this moment, Selina seemed a bit shy. She was still in her costume from the final war scene, where her clothes were tattered and dirty, making her look like she belonged to a different world from Bruce in his suit.

"I know you don't like wearing white plastic bags," Bruce said with a smile, "But I think you look stunning like this. Do you remember when we were in the slum?"

"Of course, I remember!" Selina shouted at him, "You spent five dollars on a pair of the most battered rain boots! You nearly made it impossible for me to get by, you damn rogue!"

"Don't say that. I was just too young," Bruce said as he walked towards Selina, looking at her intently. "But now I'm not. We've shared so many cherished memories, and raised a wonderful kid together. I want to..."

Selina looked up at him, saying nothing.

"Miss Selena Kyle, will you marry me?" Bruce knelt on one knee.

Selina reached out her hand to him. Bruce smiled with satisfaction, and stood up intending to put the ring on Selina—

Selina grabbed the ring and threw it aside, then crashed into Bruce's chest, kissing him deeply.

The theater erupted into thunderous applause.

"How moving," Victor said to Nora, "It reminds me of when we were young."

"When you proposed on the lawn, I was so startled. I never thought you'd dare to do that. My grandfather almost took his cane to knock you out..."

Aisha also dashed out from the backstage, pointing at her own face at Selina. Selina picked her up and gave her a big kiss. Aisha giggled.

Gotham Cathedral's bells tolled. Shiller turned to look out the theater window.

The snow gradually stopped, and the streetlights cast a hazy shadow on the icy windows. The jubilant cheers and joyous laughter dispelled the chill of the snowy night.

On this night, people spoke of love in abundance. From layers upon layers of love that flowed like water and enfolded like bubbles, grew many dreams of the new century, resonating like a song with electronic noise, flowing like mercury and shining like gold throughout the universe.

On this night, people shed tears aplenty. Memories of beautiful and dark days danced upwards with the air currents, descending again with the snow, making life seem even more pure, flawless, and faithfully cherished.

This was Shiller's twelfth Christmas in the new world. He flew out of the bustling nest, descended into a tranquil lake, landed from the solitary wind, and turned towards his second turn of the century.