"...pardon?"
"It's exactly as you heard."
Inside the office of Madam Z — a committee member of the Foundation — Vertin and her were having a conversation.
Madam Z had wavy, dark brown hair that falls just past her shoulders. She had a fair complexion and sharp, thoughtful dark eyes behind a pair of round, thin-rimmed glasses, giving her a scholarly air.
She sported a long, white coat with a corset-style front and black cross-lacing — the garment was tailored and fitted, giving her a polished and elegant silhouette. The coat also featured gold accents and buttons, symbolizing a sense of formality or status — of course, a golden brooch with the Foundation's iconic symbol was also present.
Overall, she had a mature allure about her that makes her seem dependable. Not only this, but she also emanated a noble blend of elegance, discipline, and an erudition.
Currently, she and Vertin were having a one-on-one discussion regarding the former's recent mission, as well as the subsequent events that occurred after it.
"I... will be put into an artificial somnambulism?" Vertin asked, her tone sinking a bit at the mention of those two words.
She was familiar with that term — and many more — for it was taught to all of them from a very young age.
Artificial Somnambulism was one of the many technologies that the Foundation possesses that allows them to look into the innate problems of Arcanists by delving deep into their minds.
In grossly oversimplified terms, it was basically a machine that induces a coma to an Arcanist, which would then allow them to look back into their past memories or dreams.
In practice, this technology is used to treat latent problems in the mind by resolving them — oftentimes after traumatic operations.
Madam Z nodded as she retained her reserved expression. Nudging her glasses, she spoke slowly. "The report you've submitted was put under inspection, and, after your brief test shortly after your return, it has been deemed that you've suffered a psychological issue."
"Notably, it was partly because of you blacking out after an intense emotional stimulus — that is a serious problem, Vertin. If left unchecked, that could pose problems for you in the future."
"...I know." Vertin lowered her head, self-aware of the problems she had.
She knew it herself — that the underlying problem in her mind from four years ago was still left unsolved, lingering in the dark recesses of her mind like an insidious shadow waiting to snare her when she least expects it.
That traumatic experience, from four years ago, back in the School of Primary Defense of Mankind (SPDM) — during her first Storm — had left a scar on her mind.
No matter how reticent, reserved, or calm she may appear outwardly, Vertin always knew that the event from back then was still affecting her in some way inwardly.
And now, during her recent operation, it had finally manifested itself in her passing out after experiencing a similar incident.
Since Vertin was the Foundation's only Timekeeper, it was within their best interest to keep her healthy in both body and mind. As such, to prevent any more mishaps, they sanctioned her to be put under artificial somnambulism.
Vertin paused for a moment, then, thinking of the new comrades she made, she looked back up at Madam Z. "If I remember correctly, a treatment using artificial somnambulism takes at least a couple of months... What will happen to them? Druvis, Sotheby, Regulus, Mr. APPLe, and Isaac?"
As if she had expected this question, Madam Z didn't immediately reply but first took her moment to slowly speak while eyeing the documents Vertin brought. "That would depend on them. The Foundation would undoubtedly try to rope them in, but that would surely be met with strong opposition."
Vertin shook her head slightly. "It cannot be avoided, especially with what the Foundation is going through currently."
"New arguments always arise within, thus exacerbating the factional conflicts inside the Foundation."
At her words, Madam Z was swift to respond, refuting them. "Factional conflicts? There ought to be no such thing. All of us here share one common goal... You should know that we'll."
"But the conflict has always been there." Vertin countered, her stance over the matter stern. "And it only grows."
Indeed. Beneath the seemingly stable surface of the Foundation, a quiet internal conflict was brewing in the undercurrent, stirring up waves that could potentially bring harm not only to themselves but also to others.
This was an unavoidable outcome. When various ideologies are thrown into one place altogether, it was inevitable that a varied workplace belief would occur — causing embers of dispute to blossom.
Madam Z sighed as she continued to listen to the young lady.
"The group that believes in mankind's supremacy is splitting the Foundation's beliefs apart." Vertin continued. "The conflicts cannot be covered up by regulations anymore, Madam Z."
What she said was also the truth. As the Foundation continues to battle against the Storm as well as the Manus Vindictae, they are continuously losing more and more personnel on their side with each conflict.
In order to continue their fight, the Foundation started to take in arcanists from the outside world, thus bringing in new beliefs which would then lead to a clash of perspectives. Predominantly, the ones who currently have more influence are those who seek mankind's supremacy — the Mankind Caucus. It was a group that wanted stricter control over the Foundation and a harsher control over the arcanists.
But Vertin knew they cannot afford to have an internal conflict now and risk fragmenting their strength. Moreover, she was also unwilling to let her friends and herself to become a centerpiece in this conflict.
Something ought to change.
"What do you really want, Vertin?" Having listened to Vertin's arguments and comprehended them objectively, Madam Z decided to go straight to the main point.
Vertin looked Madam Z in the eye, paused for a moment, before speaking. "I want a neutral, safe, and legitimate grounds for us."
"What If I was on the Mankind Caucus' side?" Madam Z asked hypothetically. "What then?"
Vertin paused before shaking her head. "I don't know which side you are on, but I believe that the future you pursue doesn't end with the Foundation splitting apart in a factional conflict."
"..." Madam Z remained silent for quite a while, her eyes alternating between the documents on her desk and Vertin's stern figure. After a while, she sighed softly. "You may leave. I need some time..."
Hearing this, Vertin didn't have any objections and stood up. However, she didn't immediately leave but instead lingered for a bit longer.
"Regardless of the decision you make, I'm grateful, Madam Z..." She bowed slightly after saying those before walking out, leaving the committee member's office.
Left alone in the room, a palpable silence descended upon Madam Z's office.
Whatever decision she'd make now would decide the fate of Vertin and her friends.
---
The next day.
Isaac, having risen up from his bed, groggily opened his eyes as his raven black hair that contained gray strands fell over his face, his dark murky eyes staring vacantly at front.
Grasping half of his face with his right arm, he became silent for a few moments before murmuring something to himself.
"...she should have made a decision by now."
Although his fog has yet to spread outwardly and into the main building where Madam Z's office was to confirm his guess, he knew that the highly erudite and sympathetic lady would be one of the people who will support Vertin's cause — if not the only one, really.
Throughout the third and fourth chapters of the game that covers Vertin's arc while she sleeps, Madam Z would actively try to help her in any way possible.
But with the ever-growing supremacists in the Foundation that refuses to acknowledge Vertin's idea, it would be really hard for her — as shown in-game.
"...but that's where I come in."
He smirked — one he hadn't shown others before that radiated cunningness.
He then shifted his gaze.
Looking at the window and seeing the sunlight outside, he basked in the warmth for a while before inhaling and exhaling deeply.
"It's finally time to start the second part of the plan..."
The plan to support Vertin's supporter.