When reading kindergarten or elementary school, math classes were lively and interesting. Teachers would give various interesting examples to explain equations, and also arrange activities and games to help children remember addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division more easily.
At that time, the classroom atmosphere was always joyful, as if math was truly a very interesting subject, the more you learned, the happier you became.
But as you got a bit older, teachers started lecturing word for word. The interesting activities and games disappeared, and remembering formulas turned into rote memorization.
And by high school, math classes were downright gloomy. To say they were lifeless, even the God of Death wouldn't be pleased.
By the time you reach university calculus classes, the atmosphere seemed to cheerful up again. But only the university students who couldn't figure out the answers knew it was because they were laughing at their own incompetence. It profoundly displayed how optimistic humans can be when facing despair.
The main reason for this situation is actually because math gets progressively harder from childhood to adulthood.
Initially, using such joyful methods to learn is feasible because addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division are the most basic fundamentals in math. Understanding the principles of these operations doesn't take much effort, so naturally, more energy can be spent on other aspects.
However, as it gets harder, simply understanding the basic logic takes up most of the brainpower. At this point, anything that distracts focus might interrupt thinking, so naturally, the more straightforward the better.
The relationship between Batman and the Justice League is just like this.
Every time the Justice League has a meeting, the atmosphere looks good, everyone speaks freely and jokes around.
Even when facing very urgent situations, the atmosphere is lively. Even if it's not positive but a debate and argument, it's still full of passion.
This is like kindergarten math class. Those excited emotions are like the games that kindergarten teachers prepare for calculating equations by jumping squares, simply because the inner logic of single-digit addition and subtraction is too simple, it can be displayed in such a flashy way and still be understood.
However, the Justice League can't encounter all problems as simple as single-digit addition and subtraction. But every time they can debate and come up with a solution through the jumping squares game, why is that?
Of course, it's because when you're happily playing a game, Batman is carrying the heavy burden for you.
When reading comics, many people have a feeling that the Justice League solely has tasteless meetings.
When facing a great enemy, they have a meeting first. But the main content of the meetings is basically one person suggesting an idea, another person disagreeing, and then they argue and eventually go their separate ways.
Some relatively useful meetings mostly consist of Batman proposing a method, most people agree, and then they go and do it.
Even in the best case where everyone actively thinks, enthusiastically speaks, the proposed plan can't be said to be full of holes but can certainly be called flawed, looking unlikely to be feasible.
In the game, every seen effort looks like it's at maximum effort, but once reviewed afterward, everyone's combined damage isn't higher than Batman's solo output.
The reason for this is mainly because Batman has already studied all the advanced mathematical knowledge ahead of time, answering all the questions on the paper except for single-digit addition and subtraction, so the remaining ones are just the simplest equations.
In the Justice League's meetings, what they're discussing are these simplest equations, that's why they can be so passionately enthusiastic and uplifting.
However, the situation in this universe is exactly the opposite. Members and non-members of the Justice League, it's impossible to say they're all at the level of mathematicians, but at the very least, even the weakest have middle school-level skills and can solve function equations, not just single-digit addition and subtraction.
And when answering the paper, everyone plays their part: those who can solve equations solve equations, those who can solve geometric problems solve geometric problems, those who can tackle major problems tackle major problems.
And because this degree of mathematics has already detached from the cheerful atmosphere of the jumping squares game, everyone's performance is very professional. On the road to professionalism, each has their own dullness and boredom.
Even the art major, which most requires emotional thinking, when studying basic perspective and proportions, also requires lots of memorization, reasoning, and repeated practice, equally boring.
So the meetings of the Justice League in this universe are just like every professional meeting held by Wayne Enterprises: first report data, then analyze data, next evaluate data, based on data formulate the next business strategy, then analyze the strategy, evaluate the strategy, research the feasibility of implementation...
No one will be passionately enthusiastic in such meetings. Everyone is here for work, not for debating. Even if there's dissent, it's all about persuading each other with data. If it's a stalemate, then the leadership decides.
If Batman were to describe the Justice League of this universe in one word, it would probably be "too much like a class."
And in Batman's view, this is not a derogatory term but rather a heartfelt compliment.
The various problems that appear in the superhero team can all be summarized in one sentence – they have a sort of beauty of never having worked a proper job.
As long as they work as a screw in a proper company for two days, many problems not only get solved easily but don't need to appear at all.
Of course, this also belongs to the limitations of the comic. It's precisely because too many people in the real world work, that everyone fantasizes in the cartoon world, superheroes can become intimate and understanding good partners, able to forgo those boring rational thoughts of daily life, and act solely on hot-blooded passion.
But obviously, the writers also know this approach can't succeed. So, Batman becomes the unlucky guy who, no matter when, can always cover for them.
Let the Justice League superheroes be both passionate and achieve battle results, satisfying the fans' fantasies.
Batman begins to ponder, is it because this universe doesn't have Batman, everyone chooses to be self-reliant; or because everyone chooses to be self-reliant, doesn't need Batman, hence there's no Batman.
He thinks it might be a bit of both. For Batman not to be Batman, it can't just have a sign at the moment of decision. If he stopped being Batman, surely several arrangements would be made, perhaps the superheroes grew during this period.
Regardless, the professional level of this universe's Justice League gives Batman a feeling of having no place to settle.
Once everyone has reported and analyzed all data, Oliver says, "Based on this data, we can see that at present, the opponents seem not to have found a suitable frontal battlefield, the possibility of launching a frontal attack against us is minimal."
"On the contrary, they keep trying to open up behind-enemy-lines battlefields, not only sending Martians to cause trouble but also seem to have installed signal interference and phantom weapons on Metropolis's streets. Spaceships frequently patrol outside the planet, causing multiple unusual sightings."
"Therefore, I suggest that our strategy should not lean entirely towards a final showdown on the frontal battlefield but rather focus on strict defense, maintaining our rear bases, and meanwhile conduct grassroots searches, deepen counter-espionage strategies, and continuously carry out community work..."
Oliver jumbles on about several points and finally ends with "I'm done, anyone has any objections?"
Lex is the first to raise his hand and says, "I'll add two points. I think we should better utilize the Earth Magic Defense Network. I heard that the source of this system has upgraded to the latest magic defense network monitoring system, able to monitor energy fluctuations under the defense network. We should send someone to liaise with them, bringing this technology here."
"Also, we need to deploy more scientists and technical personnel to fully support Lady Aisley's plant weapon research, and quickly arrange controllable plant weapons in every corner of Metropolis, making it impossible for invading aliens to hide."
"I also have one thing to add," Arthur suddenly says, "Though there's no evidence, I have a hunch the opponents might attack from the sea."
Without waiting for others to ask, Arthur explains himself, "Metropolis's air-ground defense is very tight, they can't find a chance to land, and can't invade from land routes, so they might find a piece of sea to land, then attack from the sea bottom. I believe they have the technology level for this."
"So I apply to mobilize troops from Atlantis, circling Metropolis's coastline. If there's any sea-bottom disturbance, we can detect and intercept it immediately."
"I did consider this," Oliver says, "But I worry Atlantis might not have enough manpower."
"Port of Mercy has my personal guard, although few in number, all are elite."
"No, you can't move those people," Oliver says, "I require every superhero to first look after their own territory, ensure the safety of their home and family. Otherwise, if they launch a diversionary attack, we will definitely suffer a major blow."
"Perhaps we can do this," Harley twirls her pen and says, "Metropolis's current air-ground defense force is excessive, we can allocate some to Port of Mercy, then relocate some sea force over, achieving a three-way balance."
"Alright, then you and Arthur handle this," Oliver nods and says, "Give me a plan by tonight."
"I have something to say." Kara looks around, seemingly a bit hesitant, but still opens her mouth.
"What's the matter, Miss Danvers?"
"Well… you mentioned you discovered traces of spaceship fuel in outer space, can you take me to the site? I should be able to identify if it's a Kryptonian spaceship."
Hal's eyes brighten, he says, "You can identify it?"
"Yes, I told you before. When Krypton was destroyed, I already had memories, the Kryptonians' super brains gave us great memory. I've seen many Kryptonian spaceship tails and residues from fuel combustion, I should be able to recognize them."
"Then Hal, you take Miss Danvers for a trip. Remember to ensure her safety. If attacked, don't try to be a hero, run into the magic defense network."
Hal makes an OK gesture.
"We also need some manpower to deal with that Martian," Oliver continues to say, "Now there are two plans, I think we can carry them out simultaneously. Lex, you contact the KGB, ask if they have traces of Martian Manhunter Ron, if he can step in, that would be great."
"Barry, from now on, patrol non-stop in Metropolis, once you find traces of a Martian, use your divine speed to capture him. But don't run around with him, call for backup immediately."
Barry nods vigorously.
"Okay, today's meeting ends here. If the opponents have any movement, we'll discuss the next strategy to respond. Dismissed."
Everyone starts packing up the documents spread out on the table. While the two pairs of Batman and Superman sitting on the sides look at each other, the expressions on their faces are "Seriously guys, that's it?"
What about us? We came all the way over here just to listen to some noise?