Looking at the young lady in front of him, Isaac genuinely didn't know what could have possibly transpired for her to reach out to him at this time of the day.
But to maintain a good first impression, he had to entertain her first before he could get into the specifics. That was basic courtesy, after all.
"Is there anything you want from me?" Continuing to speak in fluent french, Isaac decided to ask.
Why was he using this language, of all things, you ask? Well, of course, it's for pleasantries as well as catering towards Matilda's preferences and making it easier for her to speak out what's on her mind. In this way, they can have a comfortable and flowing conversation.
Of course, a part of him also wanted to see her reaction.
Matilda, on the other hand, seems to be focusing on that aspect a bit too much. With a gleaming and proud expression, she spoke. "So you speak french too! Good, very good! To finally see another person who speaks the same language as mine in this Foundation."
It was evident that she was quite proud of her background and nationality — if that wasn't obvious enough.
The way she spoke was as if she had found a long lost relative, and a bright radiant smile was present on her soft face.
"Does the Foundation not have any french people other than you in their midst for you to say that?" He lightly scoffed. Then, walking out of his doorframe and closing his door, he gestured at her. "Well, let's walk and talk, shall we?"
Matilda nodded and started following him as they left the area.
"The Foundation has a lot of people inside of it, and some people from France too. But not all of them are as proud of our language as we are." She explained, walking beside him. Out of nowhere, however, she was already lumping him together with her, using the word 'us.'
Isaac didn't mind it, but it still felt strange how fast she immediately became warm around him.
But since he had already decided to fall down this rabbit hole, there was no point in turning back now. It was better to just see it through the end.
Seeing him remain composed and look interested in their conversation as they walked, Matilda continued. "Now, regarding why I was seeking you, it has something to do with the test conducted on you when you first entered the Foundation. The SPDM requests you to fill out your profile in full honesty or you might be reprimanded due to the discrepancies in your file."
"In addition to this, the SPDM also requests to have you enrolled into their school and learn the proper ways of being an arcanist, as you have been an unregistered arcanist until now."
Hearing her last sentence, Isaac couldn't help but smirk wryly. It was because what he anticipated had already arrived sooner than he had expected.
What she said was true. He did lie about some of his answers when he was questioned back when he first entered the Foundation... But he had reasons for doing that — mostly because even he doesn't know how to properly explain his past.
To begin with, how should he even categorize himself as an arcanist? Should he label himself as a Beyond Arcanist since he's not originally from this world? But then again, he did transmigrate here and only awakened his arcanum shortly after crossing over, thus technically making him a Natural Arcanist.
As for his arcanum, that's not something he could explain on paper even if he wanted to. Literally.
Isaac literally can't record his arcanum, and any records of it would gradually fade away. Ironically, however, it can only be remembered by memory of those who've seen it firsthand.
Since the fog always blurs the mind, it shall remain there. And any attempt to record it in history shall be met with obscurity.
As for his background in this world... To be honest, he really just didn't want to give it. To him, that was a sensitive topic he wants to avoid discussing over — mainly because how much it had impacted his life in this world. He wasn't stubborn about it, but he really just didn't feel like sharing it with strangers — even moreso the Foundation itself.
Mulling over his answers for a bit, he sighed. "I see... Well, before I give out any of my information, I'd like to first call Vertin to defend me as my lawyer — or something like that."
Upon hearing Vertin's name, Matilda's eyes widened in shock as she slightly distanced herself from Isaac as if she had just been betrayed. "You... Why do you want to seek her approval first?!"
To her question, he merely shrugged, clearly amused by it. "Well, she is my employer, after all. And it's within my right to first ask her opinion over certain matters before I make a decision."
In fact, there's also another reason why he was rejecting them — it was because the Foundation's efforts at trying to lure them in had began.
Constantine, the vice president of the Foundation, would go after the arcanists Vertin brought in one by one until eventually, at the start of Chapter 4, Druvis would be the only one left that isn't forcefully dragged away by the Foundation.
Now, however, it seemed like they made the mistake of pulling Isaac over to them first, possibly thinking that he was an easy target.
What they didn't know, was that he was already loyal to Vertin's cause, and wasn't considering joining them anytime soon.
After walking together for so long, the two of them finally arrived at the building's lobby.
Seeing that he was here, Isaac looked back at Matilda. "I'll gladly fill up that file once and only if Vertin agrees to it. Until then, I am just a refugee seeking shelter in the Foundation under the watch of the Timekeeper."
In other words, he was saying that Vertin was handling him, and without her permission, he can't do anything — which is a good protection for the time being.
Vertin doesn't wish for her nor everyone in the suitcase to be part of the Foundation's political war, and as such, would gladly shield him from them. Of course, once she falls asleep, the true trial would begin.
"If there's nothing more, then I'd very much like to go on my own now." With that said, Isaac raised his hand and waved at Matilda while walking away, before reaching out to his monocle and wearing it. "Au revoir, Mademoiselle Matilda!"
"Hey! Wait! You can't just..." Matilda tried to bring him back, but suddenly, his body started turning illusory as if it was evaporating, before eventually dispersing into a fog.
Seeing that she wasn't able to find him anywhere and think he left, Matilda pouted. "Oh, you...! Hmph, to walk away like this from me, you're no different from that troublesome Vertin!"
She complained, but unfortunately, Isaac had truly left, off to get furniture for his cabin.
---
In the suitcase.
Vertin checked herself out in the mirror after just finishing her morning bath. Looking at her neat and tidy appearance, she nodded lightly before leaving her room and going to the lobby.
Once there, she immediately noticed A Knight, the new arcanist she summoned, talking to Mr. APPLe.
A Knight noticed her too and politely bowed. "Good morning to thee, my Lord. Has thou slept well?"
Vertin paused for a bit before replying slowly. "There's no need to refer to me as a Lord. Please, just call me Vertin. And thank you for asking, I slept just fine."
"Someone understands and is glad that thou hath slept well." A Knight nodded solemnly — or at least, what looked like a nod.
Walking over to them, she suddenly got curious about the two Awakened Arcanists' discussions. "What are you two talking about so seriously at this hour of the day?"
Mr. APPLe, who was seated across A Knight, was the one who answered the question. "Me and A Knight are discussing the farm for which Mr. Isaac would build beside his cabin in the Wilderness."
A Knight followed. "Someone and Mr. APPLe was commissioned by Isaac to build a farm in the Wilderness. With thy permission, then we shall immediately begin."
"Mr. Isaac seems to be really intent on building his cabin..." Vertin murmured to herself before turning to A Knight. "Alright, I grant you permission. It's just that... I have one request."
"Please say it, Ms. Vertin. For this knight shall immediately do it."
Vertin lingered in silence for a while, her mind buzzing with thoughts, before finally uttering out a few words. "Can you..."
"Can you plant an orange tree in that farm?"
Spring was coming; and it was now the perfect time to plant them.
Planting that orange tree would serve both as a sustenance... As well as a memorial for her departed friend, Schneider.
"It will be done, Ms. Vertin." Mr. APPLe rolled himself mid air and made a nod.
Vertin gave a thankful nod before going to the kitchen and taking with her some breakfast on the go. She was just about to leave the suitcase, when suddenly, she saw someone walk out to the Wilderness.
"Druvis?" She murmured to herself, watching the elegant lady walk out and into the woods. Seeing this, she thought to herself for a moment. "Is she going to Mr. Isaac's cabin?"
She had heard that Druvis frequented Isaac's cabin to construct it, and she had always been curious how it was going.
She lingered for a while, finishing her breakfast, before deciding her next course of action.
"I guess I'll go take a look for myself too..." She spoke to herself. Her eyes then narrowed as she continued. "Before I..."
"...fall asleep."
The day of her artificial somnambulism treatment was rapidly approaching, and with it, new uncertainty.