One by one, each SeeD candidate would eventually reach the second floor hallway, the anticipation of receiving their results dawning on each and every one of them as they stood around nervously for further instruction. The feeling of excitement and dread was synonymous amongst them all, and as the minutes passed on, the tension grew ever thicker. Finally, they would be relieved of their growing paranoia as a Garden Faculty member emerged to greet them all with a formal wave of his hand and a clipboard tucked under his arm. "The following students will follow me to the third floor, where they will receive their results from Head Instructor Corvo and the Headmaster," the Faculty Member announced in a stern, authoratative tone, clearing his throat before glancing down at the sheet in his hands.
"Syrus Cromwell."
"Charlotte Aurum."
"Eika Munashii."
"Xerox Craft."
"Kein Marx."He cleared his throat again before tearing his eyes from the clipboard and meeting every announced student's gaze with a lukewarm smile. "Congratulations. You have all passed the field exam. Please follow me." Without a moment longer, he turned around and headed back towards the elevator, expecting the students to follow close behind.
Before the students could move to join him however, the hallway broke into resounding applause, as students and staff alike gathered to see the new SeeD graduates off. Some would appear to be familiar faces for the students; from the likes of Eika's fortune-telling customers, Kein's committed girlfriend Yoko, and the fellow students of Instructor Lerwick's class who had not passed the written test that semester. Hollers, cheers, and choruses of praise followed the group of five as they uniformly followed the faculty staff not long after.
Each student was assembled side by side in the Headmaster's Office, assuming the practised stance of a SeeD Cadet as they awaited their results. The tension was palpable, and the large, dominating presence of Head Instructor Corvo served no less in contributing to this fact. The gruff, bearded ex-officer glanced at each student coolly, his eyes resting on Syrus for a moment longer than necessary before starting his announcement. "You might expect me to begin by congratulating each of you on passing the exam and dressing up your success with pretty compliments and well-wishes. But let's just get straight to the point." He folded his arms, his gaze cold and unyielding. "You're not children anymore. There will be no more fretting about being late for classes, or running in hallways, or meeting deadlines. You are members of
SeeD now." He pronounced the term with a sense of deep-rooted arrogance and pride. "You will see, and partake in the deaths of many. You will go out there, and you will fight, and you will bleed, and you
will be changed. You may not believe it, but what occurred in Dollet is merely a taster of what you have yet to experience." His eyes lingered to Eika for a moment, a rare emotion akin to pity flittering across his features before his face returned to stony indifference. "As SeeD, you will each be representatives of the military force of Balamb Garden. And as long as I live and breathe, I will see to it that you do it
well." Appearing to near the end of his speech, he extended a hand outward towards another figure, perched on a seat before them and listening silently to Corvo's words. "I would like to introduce the most powerful man in all of Balamb. The Garden Headmaster." His eyes roved meaningfully to Syrus as he spoke his next line. "You will show him courtesy and the utmost
respect, or I will not hesitate to have you thrown to the T-Rexaurs and explained as an unfortunate accident."
"Maithwaite, please," The mysterious figure let out a quiet chuckle, drawing the attention of everyone in the room as he rose from his chair. On laying their eyes on the enigmatic Headmaster, one thing was certainly clear; the man was
old. With skin that was crinkled and sagged, sparsely thin hair as white as driven snow, and eyes as blue as the ocean, the Headmaster instilled awe and disbelief to all who met him. "Forgive Instructor Corvo's humour. Please, do not look so glum." He cracked a wide, encouraging smile. "Look at you all. Our new, upstanding members of SeeD! I couldn't be more proud." He took a step forward, his eyes boring into each and every one of the graduates, as if he was reading them like open books. "Now, Corvo's words do bear an important message. Still! You must remember the reasons
why you fought so hard to stand here today. Was it your desire to travel all over the world? To master the art of combat? Perhaps to define your place in this world?" His words sounded whimsical as he watched the graduates with a warm and almost fatherly expression. "Whatever the reason, I am sure you can stand here with your heads held high at your achievements. As the Headmaster of this Garden, I congratulate you all."
With the formalities out of the way, the introductions swiftly moved onto the heart of the matter; the SeeD reports. With a set of envelopes tucked under his arm, the Headmaster approached each student and handed them their individual Ranks.
The first to receive them was the flame haired Gunblade Specialist, Syrus.
Conduct - 75
Judgement - 80
Attack - 90
Spirit - 60
Attitude - 50
SeeD Rank - 6
"It is good to see you again, Syrus," The wizened Headmaster whispered in his ear as he gave his hand a warm squeeze. "You've done me proud."
Next in line was the beautiful blonde haired Red Mage, Charlotte.
Conduct - 90
Judgement - 70
Attack - 75
Spirit - 70
Attitude - 100
SeeD Rank - 7
"I'm sure your parents will be very proud, Miss Aurum," The Headmaster murmured kindly, pressing the envelope gently into her hands. "Well done."
His eyes fell to the next graduate in line, the notorious fortune teller Eika.
Conduct - 60
Judgement - 70
Attack - 90
Spirit - 70
Attitude - 70
SeeD Rank - 7
"Miss Munashii...I am truly sorry to hear about what happened to Dollet." The old man's tone was sorrowful as he shook her hand with a comforting grip, meeting her red-rimmed gaze with a sympathetic one of his own. "You will always have a home with us."
Once he had given the girl her report, he turned to the bespectacled male waiting his turn; the reckless inventor Xerox.
Conduct - 70
Judgement - 70
Attack - 85
Spirit - 85
Attitude - 95
SeeD Rank - 7
"Duncan spoke quite highly of your leadership qualities," the Headmaster spoke softly, giving his outstretched hand a firm shake. "And I must say, we were partially tempted to award your furry little friend a rank as well," he added with a playful wink, before moving on to the last fledgling SeeD waiting his turn.
Ah, the utterly unremarkable student with the penchant for misfortune, Kein.
Conduct - 75
Judgement - 70
Attack - 60
Spirit - 70
Attitude - 80
SeeD Rank - 6
"Sometimes, it's the ones we don't expect that surprise us the most," the old man spoke encouragingly into his ear, also clasping his hand in a fatherly handshake as he divested himself of the last report. "Congratulations, Mr Marx."
And with that, the award ceremony was complete. "Now, I wish you all the best in your future endeavours," the Headmaster spoke warmly as he looked at each of them one more time with a small nod. "I hope you enjoy the inauguration party tonight, and good luck, members of SeeD!"
