[...a fellow academic! That alone is enough to brighten him up at least momentarily.]

Excellent! It is exceedingly rare that I find other students who take the initiative to better their education. As students, it is our job to study, after all.

[If the whole part about the basement bothers him, he doesn't push it further, and soon he's absorbed in negativity once again. Ishimaru knocks on the kitchen door and begins a lengthy and strangely apologetic conversation with the staff, leaving Blaziken and Watchog to entertain his guest. The latter pokes at his bag, hoping for her new mushfriend to pop out again.]