"Our Research and Development wing are tasked with understanding the necessary components of multiversal travel. We have contacted our liaison to a greater alien force that may also shed some lights on the problem," Batman said. I met him alone in Mount Justice's main hall with nobody else around, "But preliminary findings have been rather pessimistic."

I frowned. "So what does that mean?"

"It means, we don't even know if it's possible to travel multiversally, and that even if it is, determining the right direction through the many worlds that will take you back home may be an infinitely complex task. Due to this, I must caution you to manage your expectations."

"So I'm stuck," I said, forcing myself to rein in my emotions, and slipping into Japanese by accident, "That's what you're saying. I'm stuck here."

Batman sighed, "For the time being. Of course, our biggest hope is that you may yet reverse-engineer the phenomenon that brought you here in the first place, and use that to get home. I must ask you, do your powers work here as well as they did back home?"

"Hmm," I said. I summoned the Limitless technique in my finger, activating Blue. Just a tiny bit, not enough to hurt anyone. Then I quickly explained the technique to Batman. The cursed energy inside the technique multiplied on its own. "Binding vows still seem to work. By explaining my technique to you, I have multiplied its power. I assumed that binding vows were more… heavenly in nature. That there was an external force that lent more weight to cursed energy. But it seems like it all comes from within. Or perhaps that external force has arrived here with me." I hissed, "I hope, for your sake, it's not that."

"Why?" Batman asked.

I grinned at him, "Because if your humans start to produce negative energy, thus forming curses, then you'll be in for the shock of your life."

"It is as I suspected," Batman grunted, "Thus far, we have kept a watchful vigil, and our magical expert has taken it upon himself to ensure that this doesn't happen. Eventually, we need to investigate the nature of your cursed energy," Batman said, "I will be in touch regarding that. But for now, the main issue will be preparing you for a long-term stay in this world. And also addressing some of your behavioral issues."

I pouted at him, "I would have stayed back, no sweat, if any of those kids knew how to fight. Honestly, I think them getting blackballed by you all is for the best. They're clearly too weak."

"Your actions against Mister Twister are not the subject I want to tackle," Batman said, "Regarding that, I'm actually rather impressed at your restraint and efficiency. My problem is that you have rubbed the difference between yourself and the team in their faces. Repeatedly."

Batman raised his wrist, typing away at a hidden wrist-computer. Audio started to crackle from it, "Throughout the heavens and the earth, I alone am the honored one," I heard myself saying in English. Who had recorded that anyway, Robin?

What a clunky translation. The original Japanese was far more elegant and refined. Tenjo, tenge, yuiga dokuson. In most cases, it was a sarcastic utterance against someone who thought themselves above others.

In my case, it was the unvarnished truth. One of my few comforts in this… situation. At least I could take solace in the fact that I was unmatched under heaven.

"In my defence," I said, "I wasn't saying that to them."

"Be that as it may," Batman said, "You have not been shy in bragging about your strength, or making the rest of the team look incompetent in comparison to you."

"Come on, now!" I said, "Even if that made them feel bad, it's good for them! Rivalry is important! How do you think we did things back in my school? Do you think I didn't rub my strength in the faces of my upperclassmen just because they were older than me? No! They all got it the same, and they all learned that to be good, you have to work damn hard. And even then, you may never be good as someone like me! And if that makes them give up on being heroes to take up an easier life, that's even better! Being a Jujutsu Sorcerer is hell for the weak! The same should be the case for being a hero!"

"I don't disagree on that point," Batman said honestly, "I don't even think that a good display of power for the sake of humility is necessarily a bad thing. I simply believe that sowing such seeds of resentment will only contribute to your own alienation and othering. Especially considering the fact that your stay in this world may in all likelihood be long-term."

"Am I going to be punished for saving them?" I asked.

"No. You had no choice," Batman said. "But you do have a choice in how you wish to be viewed by your future teammates, should you choose to walk down the path of a hero."

I chuckled. Was that ever really in question? "I've been trained for this since birth, Batman. I've only ever known a life of sorcery. Of course this is my path. What, do you want me to take up accounting instead?"

"You will have a meeting with Black Canary tomorrow at twelve noon sharp," Batman said, "She is our resident psychologist, and will touch base with you regarding your wellbeing. And she will also drill you with standard rules of engagement and our League's operating procedures."

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"Yeah, yeah," I said with a shrug, "Can't wait."

Then Batman reached into his utility belt and pulled out a white card. A credit card. It had 'Amex' written on it, and shone beautifully. But... it wasn't black. Something felt off. "Here. Five thousand to start with, and then a thousand dollars monthly."

"I thought it was ten!" I shouted.

"It was ten until today. Now it is one. You've settled on establishing yourself as greater than your teammates. I won't aid in this perception by elevating you financially as well."

"What can I even buy with one thousand dollars?" I asked in disgust.

"You have room and board," Batman said, "And free food. And restricted usage of the Zeta tube for transport, as well as your own flight capabilities. If you need to make a greater purchase, simply contact Red Tornado, and he will evaluate the importance of this purchase before approving it."

"And will my salary increase once I've been trained?" I asked him with a frown. "Once I'm being sent on missions?"

"Become a team player before worrying about such things," he said.

"I can run circles around your kids," I said to him, "In fact, I shouldn't even be playing with them. I'm League material and you know it."

"You're fitting in already," Batman said dryly, turning around to leave through the Zeta tube.

"That's it?!" I shouted after him.

He entered the tube and the mechanical voice announced his departure, "Batman, B-02."

I stuffed the card into my pocket with a huff. Guess I'd be shopping from broke people stores for the foreseeable future. Dammit.

"Computer," I said out loud, having learned that the computer could be interfaced with via voice. Apparently, it ran on a natural language AI of some sort, according to Aqualad. "What sort of training drills can you provide for me?"

The computer's voice responded, calm and mechanical, yet with a slight warmth to its tone. And it spoke in Japanese!

"Welcome, Satoru. There are a range of training drills available. Combat and technique drills include: hand-to-hand combat simulations, elemental resistance exercises, agility and reflex conditioning, stealth and evasion protocols, ranged targeting practice, as well as a selection of exercises to increase stamina, strength, and resilience."

I frowned, considering my options. Most of this felt... pedestrian. "Anything that's actually challenging?" I asked.

The computer paused as if calculating my parameters. "There are also 'hero specialization drills,' designed to push even the most experienced League members to their limits. These include: Advanced Strategic Combat, Alien Technology Adaptation, Speedster Interception Training, Power Dampening Simulations, Reality Warp Endurance, and Multi-dimensional Awareness Conditioning."

"Better," I muttered. My fingers twitched with anticipation. "What's the hardest one you've got?"

"Based on your abilities, Satoru, you may find the 'Dimensional Stability Drill' suitable. This drill was originally designed for heroes with reality-altering abilities, such as Doctor Fate and Zatara, and requires advanced spatial manipulation and energy control."

I raised an eyebrow. "Dimensional Stability, huh? Perfect." I cracked my knuckles. "Start that one up. Let's see what it's got."

A low hum filled the room as the training space shifted, the walls pulsing and rippling with a strange, otherworldly energy. My surroundings shifted until it felt like I was inside a swirling vortex, reality itself stretching and bending. A sense of vertigo washed over me as gravitational forces warped and shifted.

In my Six Eyes, I could visualize it as a warped sphere with many dents and holes.

"Begin by maintaining spatial cohesion," the computer instructed. "Adjust for multidirectional gravitational pull."

I smirked, rolling my shoulders. "So I just have to keep it all together, huh? Easy peasy. Blue."

I activated my technique, feeling the familiar pull as I harnessed the attraction of my cursed technique. Immediately, I could sense the tear in space pulling at me, each direction testing my control as I worked to keep the reality around me stable.

The sphere twisted, growing more turbulent. I realized I'd need to rely on something beyond just brute power—this was going to test the precision of my technique to its very limits.

Slowly, but surely, I managed to even out the sphere.

"Dimensional cohesion at 90%," the computer noted, as though observing my every move. "Increase in distortion fields imminent."

As the field intensified, I poured more cursed energy into Blue, adjusting with fine precision to keep up with the distortions. A bead of sweat formed on my forehead.

My Six Eyes usually never had to work this hard. This world sure had incredible training opportunities. I could get used to this!

"Dimensional stability... 95%," the computer noted. I grinned, feeling the familiar thrill of a challenge. The ripples of distortion increased, and I could sense that the computer wasn't holding back.

"Bring it on," I muttered, my fingers tightening as I braced myself for the next wave.