The Blade Of A Lion
Chapter 2
The smell of medicine hung thick in the room, and the bright light was a bit too much for Squall as he tried to open his eyes at first. His vision was blurry, and he had to blink a couple of times before he understood that he was staring right up into a lamp in the roof. He turned his head, realizing that was the first of a movement he had done for at least two hours. Last thing he remembered was the smirk of Seifer, with a bloody scar across his face. Not exactly his best memory.
He appreciated more the friendly face of the Balamb Garden Doctor, Doctor Kadowaki, standing over him, watching him as he moved slowly. His senses could then tell him he was in the infirmary. He didn't know who had brought him here, and honestly, he didn't care.
"How are you feeling?" Dr. Kadowaki asked. Squall felt a pain in the forehead, but decided not to say anything about it. He just responded with a motionless "Ok.." "Take it easy next time, you hear?" Kadowaki scolded as a start. "Your eyes are focusing, so you should be fine. Say your name for me!"
"Squall," he said short.
"Why don't you take it easy in training?" The doctor said, putting her hands on her hips. "Next time you might not be so lucky!"
"Tell that to Seifer!" Squall said, raising at his elbows, feeling the pain in the head wouldn't go away.
"That Seifer." Kadowaki started, like that name was something she didn't wanted to think about. ".won't listen to anybody," Her eyes wandered around, before she turned to Squall again. "Why don't you ignore him?"
Squall sat his grey eyes into Kadowaki's. "I can't just run away!"
Kadowaki shook her head. "You want to be cool, huh?" He dropped her arms down her side. "Well, don't get hurt in the process!" For some reason, Squall didn't wanted to thank her for the advice. "Let's see.." Kadowaki started, staring at the lamp. "Your instructor is.. Quistis! I'll call her now. Just wait here a minute!" She said, before walking off to the telephone. Squall could hear as he dialled the number to his instructor. He lay down, and let one ear listen to the one-way conversation.
"Quistis? Come get your student.. Yes, yes.!" Break. "His injury is not bad. It'll probably leave a scar!" Squall wasn't in doubt that she spoke about the wound Seifer had given him for.. How long was it? Squall was highly unsure how long he had been here. "Right. Now please come by," was Kadowaki's words before Squall heard her hang up.
Then he could sense movement beside him, on the other side of a window next to his bed. His vision still blurry, it was a little difficult to see the face. The bandage wrapped around his head, and almost down into his eyes, didn't help the matter. He spotted colors of white, blue and green. Brown hair. A girl. Had he seen her before?
"Squall." She said. No doubt it was a girl now. "So we meet again.." Squall didn't understood a thing. This girl knew him? Who was she? Her voice seemed familiar, but Squall was unable to place it. His memory let him down completely.
Come to think about it, he didn't remember much from the past. He could remember the SeeD teachings and all that, but things from before he arrived at Balamb Garden, was like washed away from his mind.
His attention was drawn towards the sound of doors opening, and a young girl entering the room. Blonde hair was tied back in a ponytail, and two bright hairlocks fell down on each side of her face, down to her SeeD Uniform. The bright-black clothes lined with gold, pattern bands and blue bands going over her jacket, and a red tie. Girl's part of the uniform, the skirt, was as bright black as the rest, and Quistis Trepe fit very well into it. She was admired and adored by most of the students in garden. She came to Squall's bed and stood there, watching him for a moment, before she shook her head and walked up to the bedside.
She sighed. "I knew it'd be either you or Seifer," she said, with a scolding undertone in her voice. Squall chose not to reply, but just stood up and ignored anymore pain. "Come on, let's go," Quistis said. "Today's the field exam!"
Squall remembered, and although he didn't wanted to admit it, he had been looking forward to this day. He and Quistis started to walk out of the infirmary, Squall first, and Quistis following behind.
"Squall?" Quistis asked. "Is there something on your mind?" he said as they walked.
"Not really.." Squall said, realizing that Quistis had said the same exactly at the same time. He didn't bothered, until he heard Quistis giggle behind him. He stopped and turned.
"What's so funny?" he asked.
"Funny? No, it's not that! I'm just happy," Quistis said, trying to hold her giggling. "I feel like I'm beginning to understand my student a little. That's all!"
Squall didn't show any sign of affection. "I'm more complex than you think!" He just said.
"Then tell me!" Quistis smiled. "Tell me more about yourself!"
Squall turned around and started to walk again "It's none of your."
"Business!" Quistis said, and started giggling again. This time, Squall didn't react or turned, but just kept walking. It was only halfway he bothered to glance at a whole branch of students on their way to their classrooms. Balamb Garden had awoken, ready for a new day. The clocks ringing signalled that day's first lesson was about to begin. Squall wrapped his bandage off his head and tossed it in a trash can as they walked into the Balamb lobby.
Squall entered the classroom and went back in the room to sit on his usual spot. He sat down just as Quistis entered the room with a "Good morning, class," and greeted. "Let's start with today's schedule," she said before she went to sit down at her desk. She folded her hands and leaned forward at her desk. "There seems to have been some rumors flying around since yesterday," she started. Now she got the attention from the class.
"Yes, the Field Exam for SeeD candidates will begin later this afternoon!" Whispering could be heard around the classroom. "Those not participating and those who failed last week's written test are to remain here in the study hall," Quistis went on. "Field exam participants will have free time until the exam, just make sure you're in top condition. Meet in the hall at 1600 hours. I'll announce the team assignments there. Any questions?" Quistis said as she leaned back in her chair. No replies were given.
"Oh, and Seifer.." Quistis said, eying her oldest student in class. The head with short blonde hair, gave Quistis attention. "Do NOT injure your partner while training!" Quistis said strictly. "Be careful from now on!" she added.
Seifer had never be the one to take a scold, so he slammed his hand in his desk, without getting Quistis' attention.
"Field exam participants, I will see you all later," Quistis said, and at the same moment, the students arose and headed out of the classroom. Seifer gave Squall a glare as he walked by, although Squall didn't notice. He never bothered to look at Seifer, something that seemed to annoy the other gunblader.
"And, Squall?" Quistis said. "I need to talk to you!"
Squall stood up, and started to walk upwards the classroom, eying his instructor as he approached her. Quistis looked at him, a usual smile that Squall never understood or bothered to understand. She rarely gave the same attention to her other students. Squall shook his thought off. He didn't felt anything specific for Quistis. She was one year older, and his instructor. No way she could be feeling that way for him.
"Have you been to the Fire Cavern yet?" she asked. Squall gave himself a slap across the face in his mind. He was supposed to go to the Fire Cavern this morning, in order to do the final task before today's exam. He shook his head to Quistis.
"Hm. Do you have a good excuse?" Quistis said sharply.
".Not really," Squall answered, and crossed his arms.
"Then let's get going!" she said. "Go check your study panel, and junction the GF there. It is fully prepared. I'll be waiting at the front gate, so come down when you're ready!" With that, Quistis stepped out of the classroom, leaving Squall and three other students in the classroom.
The three students headed to Squall. "You really going to go with instructor Quistis? Lucky you!" they said, among other chattering about Quistis. Squall sighed. Quistis was a beautiful instructor, in addition to be Garden's youngest instructor at her level. She was so popular, that some of the students had their own fanclub, called the Trepe Group.
Squall didn't pay them much attention, and went down to his study panel. He logged on to the computer and checked the 'new' icon that had came up on his file. Inside he got the junction data for the GF Shiva, the queen of ice.
Squall closed his eyes and vision himself, mumbling the spell that would make Shiva a part of him. He imagined himself calling the Ice queen, sensing a cold wind giving him strength. He could feel the chill inside of him. Then a voice speak to him.
-Thanks for letting me help you, SeeD Cadet!-
The GF junction was complete.
Squall arose and went out of the classroom, heading for the elevator, while thinking a little, about the GF. Guardian Forces, unique creatures with incredible powers. When summoned, they surrounded the summoner with their life force until the summoning process was complete. Then the GF could enter the battlefield and aid the summoner with their incredible powers.
To summon a GF, it had to be junctioned, meaning to make the GF a part of the user. When done, the GF was able to learn certain abilities, and share them with its master.
Squall, amond all others who junctioned GF's, made use of these abilities. When junctioned, Squall had asked Shiva to lend him the abilities of summoning, drawing, and item usage. The summoning ability was so Squall could call upon Shiva when he needed her.
Next, the draw ability, would let the GF's master draw magic from either enemies or draw points. Part of some SeeD training was to use magic, and magic had to be drawn. The magic had two ways of being used, one, for attack or support, second, to raise a user's stats, like strength or vitality. Also, to do that, one had to junction a GF. GF's used their incredible powers to raise their master's musculature, speed or dexterity, for example. Meaning usage of magic would be a double-edged sword. The magic could aid the user or hurt his opponent, but for every turn he used magic, the user would slowly, but surely, get weaker. That's where the drawing ability would come in handy, because of it, you would always be able to stock up on the magic you had lost.
Last, the item usage was an ability that often was handy for those who were afraid of the strength loss due to magic usage. It was quite funny, though, because it could make the GF sounding more like a carrier donkey. Basically, the GF made sure there was always room in your pocket. Meaning you could stock up on items like potions or phoenix downs, and the GF would carry them for you, and in some mysterious way always placing exactly the item you wanted in your pocket. It would be very handy, since otherwise, one would need a backpack to carry his items. Or carry all in his pockets. And walking around in the world with a bunch of items in your pockets could make you look like you were trying to smuggle fish out of Balamb.
Squall, as well as Seifer and all those others in his class, was well taught in how to use a GF. Only SeeD's was allowed to junction GF's full- time, but some chose not to do it, because there was warnings about usage of the GF's. Because of the abilities they learned, it could cause loss of memory. This, however, was not proved. For SeeD cadets, the GF's was only given a certain time before the exams, for example when the students was going to the Fire Cavern. And the GF's was always at a low level at the time they was given, because a powerful GF could choose to not obey its master.
This ran through Squall's mind as he walked towards the elevator, seeing it was Shiva that reminded him of the GF's life. Shiva was a good GF, always calm and caring for her master. No reports of trouble had ever been given on Shiva.
"I'm late. I'm late, I'M LATE!!" a girly voice screamed, before a girl with brown hair suddenly crashed into Squall. This tore Squall out of his thoughts, and he immediately found the balance. The girl, however, dropped to the floor.
"Are you ok?" Squall asked, just for polite sake. The girl jumped to her feet.
"Tee-Hee, I'm fine," the girl said. Squall rolled his eyes. Some hyperactive kid had just bumped into him.
"Sorry. I was kinda in a hurry.. Oh yeah! Hey, did you just come out from that class?" She asked nervously. "Is. registration over?" she added to the question. There were too many questions for one answer, Squall thought, so he just nodded.
"Woo.. Oh nooo. This place is sooo much bigger than my last garden!" she started complaining. Squall wanted to walk away, when the girl grabbed his arm. "Oh, hey, hey! I just transferred here. Do you think you could give me a quick tour of this garden?"
Squall thought it trough. He never liked talking too much with people, but he liked less letting them feel lost if he could do anything about it. He somehow just wanted to help people, no matter how bad the mood he was in.
"Sure," he said.
"Woo-hoo! Alright. Let's go!" the girl jumped up and down in excitement, a gesture Squall couldn't understand at all.
"We'll take the lift to the 1F lobby, and I'll show you the directory," Squall said. He walked off, the girl following his every step. As they walked over to the lift in the centre of Balamb garden she followed close behind.
A loud 'pling' told them the elevator had come down to 1F. Squall and the girl walked out of the elevator, and Squall pointed out a computer rig that was set right in front of the stairs.
"That's the directory," Squall exclaimed. He went over, the girl following, and they both stood right in front of the large computer.
"Well, this is it," Squall said, and looked at the girl. "Balamb Garden is pretty big. It's a good idea to check where you want to go, and select it here!" Squall had hoped that would be the end of the explanation. But obviously, the girl had never used a directory before.
"Basically, you just stand right here. The directory uses some sort of a short-range teleportation system. Notice this platform?" Squall said, and gazed down. The girl nodded. "This is the basic point. When you push the button on the screen," Squall pointed at the screen, but did not touch the screen itself. "You will be teleported to this facility. However, this is a one-way teleportation, so when you have selected a facility, you will be teleported there, and then you have to walk back here if you want to teleport again. Next, I'll give you a quick explanation of the various facilities!" Squall said.
"Yes, sir!" the little girl said. Squall rolled his eyes, and pointed at the facility farthest to the north in the directory:
"You'll find the dormitory to the north. The majority of the students live in the dorms. There aren't many students who commute!"
"Yeah, I'm in the dorms, too!" the girl exclaimed.
"You can rest and change in there," Squall continued. It was obvious, but he added it anyway. "West of the north block is the cafeteria. There's always a big rush for hot dogs. You better get used to waiting in line," he said.
"Got it!"
"East of the north block is the car park. We usually take the garden car when a mission comes up. The front gate, if you're going by foot, is located to the south," Squall went on. 'That's right. I have to go meet instructor Trepe at the front gate' he said to himself when he mentioned the front gate.
"Hm? What's the matter?" the girl asked.
"Nothing." Squall said, and pointed at the location to the west. "Next, we have the quad, located in the west block. There's an event being planned there."
"I know, I know!" The girl interrupted. "It's the garden festival! It's going to be great!" she howled in excitement. "I'm planning to be on the committee. You wanna help out, too!?" she asked.
"Let's just continue.." Squall said, paying no more attention to garden festival or whatever. "South of the west block is the infirmary. This is where you get treted for your injuries, but a lot of students just come here for advice," Squall said.
"What's the doctor's name?" the girl asked.
"Doctor Kadowaki," Squall replied. "Now the east block. This is the training centre. It's the only facility open at night. It's used for training, and they have real monsters running loose here. If you don't take it seriously, you may end up dead. Just be careful," Squall warned.
The girl gulped. ".ok," she said. Squall didn't mean to scare her, but it was necessary she took things seriously when being a SeeD cadet.
"South of the east block is the library. There's a lot of material you can look up there, but the terminals in the classroom are a lot more efficient. And you already know about the classroom on the 2F, right?" Squall said.
"Yep, I remember that one," the girl replied.
"By the way, the headmaster's office is located on the 3F. You need permission to get in!" Squall said, and concluded his tour with that. At least, there was nothing more to say about the directory.
"Another question," the girl broke in. "What's the headmaster's name?"
"Headmaster Cid," Squall said. As he mentioned his name, he remembered the old man. Headmaster Cid was a man of many aspects, and he fit perfectly the role of headmaster for a school that educated elite mercenaries.
"That's about it. Anything else?" Squall asked. His impatience began to move. Instructor Trepe was probably waiting.
"Got it," the girl said, and made Squall relax a bit more. He was about to go when the girl grabbed his arm. "Heey, um. Are you taking today's SeeD exam?" she asked.
"Yeah," Squall answered.
"Then maybe I'll see you again, later," she said, no doubt she was exited about it. "I've already finished my training at my previous Garden. I'm taking the SeeD exam today, too! Good luck to both of us, huh?" Squall nodded. Then, they both turned in different directions. "Thanks a lot!" the girl shouted before they went out of each other's hearing range.
Squall went towards the front gate, and nodded to the receptionist at the entrance. Balamb Garden had made quite a work out of their front gate. The rest of the Garden too, for that sake. The trees and grass were all green and the floor was always clean, so no complains could be made at the look of Balamb Garden.
Just before the gate out to the outer world, Squall passed a draw point. A draw point could pop up all over the world, although a great deal of them was hidden. The magic itself was a planet principal, and since monsters were born out of Gaia, the earth, and Luna, the moon, they often carried great amounts of magic, even if they couldn't or didn't use it. But draw points was magical fountains, pure magic out of Gaia itself. Squall looked at the fountain of tiny, purple beams that rose from the ground, before he reached out his hand, and concentrated on the magic. He could identify the magic as Cure as he drew the magic out of the fountain. He managed to draw 7 units of Cure from it.
From after that, Squall made his way out of the main gate, where Quistis Trepe waited for him.
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So how is it? I'm sorry it took me so long to write this chapter, but around Christmas and new year's eve it gets all busy with family, parties, presents, you know the deal. I promise I'll update next chapter ASAP. We're going to the Fire Cavern, folx!
Chapter 2
The smell of medicine hung thick in the room, and the bright light was a bit too much for Squall as he tried to open his eyes at first. His vision was blurry, and he had to blink a couple of times before he understood that he was staring right up into a lamp in the roof. He turned his head, realizing that was the first of a movement he had done for at least two hours. Last thing he remembered was the smirk of Seifer, with a bloody scar across his face. Not exactly his best memory.
He appreciated more the friendly face of the Balamb Garden Doctor, Doctor Kadowaki, standing over him, watching him as he moved slowly. His senses could then tell him he was in the infirmary. He didn't know who had brought him here, and honestly, he didn't care.
"How are you feeling?" Dr. Kadowaki asked. Squall felt a pain in the forehead, but decided not to say anything about it. He just responded with a motionless "Ok.." "Take it easy next time, you hear?" Kadowaki scolded as a start. "Your eyes are focusing, so you should be fine. Say your name for me!"
"Squall," he said short.
"Why don't you take it easy in training?" The doctor said, putting her hands on her hips. "Next time you might not be so lucky!"
"Tell that to Seifer!" Squall said, raising at his elbows, feeling the pain in the head wouldn't go away.
"That Seifer." Kadowaki started, like that name was something she didn't wanted to think about. ".won't listen to anybody," Her eyes wandered around, before she turned to Squall again. "Why don't you ignore him?"
Squall sat his grey eyes into Kadowaki's. "I can't just run away!"
Kadowaki shook her head. "You want to be cool, huh?" He dropped her arms down her side. "Well, don't get hurt in the process!" For some reason, Squall didn't wanted to thank her for the advice. "Let's see.." Kadowaki started, staring at the lamp. "Your instructor is.. Quistis! I'll call her now. Just wait here a minute!" She said, before walking off to the telephone. Squall could hear as he dialled the number to his instructor. He lay down, and let one ear listen to the one-way conversation.
"Quistis? Come get your student.. Yes, yes.!" Break. "His injury is not bad. It'll probably leave a scar!" Squall wasn't in doubt that she spoke about the wound Seifer had given him for.. How long was it? Squall was highly unsure how long he had been here. "Right. Now please come by," was Kadowaki's words before Squall heard her hang up.
Then he could sense movement beside him, on the other side of a window next to his bed. His vision still blurry, it was a little difficult to see the face. The bandage wrapped around his head, and almost down into his eyes, didn't help the matter. He spotted colors of white, blue and green. Brown hair. A girl. Had he seen her before?
"Squall." She said. No doubt it was a girl now. "So we meet again.." Squall didn't understood a thing. This girl knew him? Who was she? Her voice seemed familiar, but Squall was unable to place it. His memory let him down completely.
Come to think about it, he didn't remember much from the past. He could remember the SeeD teachings and all that, but things from before he arrived at Balamb Garden, was like washed away from his mind.
His attention was drawn towards the sound of doors opening, and a young girl entering the room. Blonde hair was tied back in a ponytail, and two bright hairlocks fell down on each side of her face, down to her SeeD Uniform. The bright-black clothes lined with gold, pattern bands and blue bands going over her jacket, and a red tie. Girl's part of the uniform, the skirt, was as bright black as the rest, and Quistis Trepe fit very well into it. She was admired and adored by most of the students in garden. She came to Squall's bed and stood there, watching him for a moment, before she shook her head and walked up to the bedside.
She sighed. "I knew it'd be either you or Seifer," she said, with a scolding undertone in her voice. Squall chose not to reply, but just stood up and ignored anymore pain. "Come on, let's go," Quistis said. "Today's the field exam!"
Squall remembered, and although he didn't wanted to admit it, he had been looking forward to this day. He and Quistis started to walk out of the infirmary, Squall first, and Quistis following behind.
"Squall?" Quistis asked. "Is there something on your mind?" he said as they walked.
"Not really.." Squall said, realizing that Quistis had said the same exactly at the same time. He didn't bothered, until he heard Quistis giggle behind him. He stopped and turned.
"What's so funny?" he asked.
"Funny? No, it's not that! I'm just happy," Quistis said, trying to hold her giggling. "I feel like I'm beginning to understand my student a little. That's all!"
Squall didn't show any sign of affection. "I'm more complex than you think!" He just said.
"Then tell me!" Quistis smiled. "Tell me more about yourself!"
Squall turned around and started to walk again "It's none of your."
"Business!" Quistis said, and started giggling again. This time, Squall didn't react or turned, but just kept walking. It was only halfway he bothered to glance at a whole branch of students on their way to their classrooms. Balamb Garden had awoken, ready for a new day. The clocks ringing signalled that day's first lesson was about to begin. Squall wrapped his bandage off his head and tossed it in a trash can as they walked into the Balamb lobby.
Squall entered the classroom and went back in the room to sit on his usual spot. He sat down just as Quistis entered the room with a "Good morning, class," and greeted. "Let's start with today's schedule," she said before she went to sit down at her desk. She folded her hands and leaned forward at her desk. "There seems to have been some rumors flying around since yesterday," she started. Now she got the attention from the class.
"Yes, the Field Exam for SeeD candidates will begin later this afternoon!" Whispering could be heard around the classroom. "Those not participating and those who failed last week's written test are to remain here in the study hall," Quistis went on. "Field exam participants will have free time until the exam, just make sure you're in top condition. Meet in the hall at 1600 hours. I'll announce the team assignments there. Any questions?" Quistis said as she leaned back in her chair. No replies were given.
"Oh, and Seifer.." Quistis said, eying her oldest student in class. The head with short blonde hair, gave Quistis attention. "Do NOT injure your partner while training!" Quistis said strictly. "Be careful from now on!" she added.
Seifer had never be the one to take a scold, so he slammed his hand in his desk, without getting Quistis' attention.
"Field exam participants, I will see you all later," Quistis said, and at the same moment, the students arose and headed out of the classroom. Seifer gave Squall a glare as he walked by, although Squall didn't notice. He never bothered to look at Seifer, something that seemed to annoy the other gunblader.
"And, Squall?" Quistis said. "I need to talk to you!"
Squall stood up, and started to walk upwards the classroom, eying his instructor as he approached her. Quistis looked at him, a usual smile that Squall never understood or bothered to understand. She rarely gave the same attention to her other students. Squall shook his thought off. He didn't felt anything specific for Quistis. She was one year older, and his instructor. No way she could be feeling that way for him.
"Have you been to the Fire Cavern yet?" she asked. Squall gave himself a slap across the face in his mind. He was supposed to go to the Fire Cavern this morning, in order to do the final task before today's exam. He shook his head to Quistis.
"Hm. Do you have a good excuse?" Quistis said sharply.
".Not really," Squall answered, and crossed his arms.
"Then let's get going!" she said. "Go check your study panel, and junction the GF there. It is fully prepared. I'll be waiting at the front gate, so come down when you're ready!" With that, Quistis stepped out of the classroom, leaving Squall and three other students in the classroom.
The three students headed to Squall. "You really going to go with instructor Quistis? Lucky you!" they said, among other chattering about Quistis. Squall sighed. Quistis was a beautiful instructor, in addition to be Garden's youngest instructor at her level. She was so popular, that some of the students had their own fanclub, called the Trepe Group.
Squall didn't pay them much attention, and went down to his study panel. He logged on to the computer and checked the 'new' icon that had came up on his file. Inside he got the junction data for the GF Shiva, the queen of ice.
Squall closed his eyes and vision himself, mumbling the spell that would make Shiva a part of him. He imagined himself calling the Ice queen, sensing a cold wind giving him strength. He could feel the chill inside of him. Then a voice speak to him.
-Thanks for letting me help you, SeeD Cadet!-
The GF junction was complete.
Squall arose and went out of the classroom, heading for the elevator, while thinking a little, about the GF. Guardian Forces, unique creatures with incredible powers. When summoned, they surrounded the summoner with their life force until the summoning process was complete. Then the GF could enter the battlefield and aid the summoner with their incredible powers.
To summon a GF, it had to be junctioned, meaning to make the GF a part of the user. When done, the GF was able to learn certain abilities, and share them with its master.
Squall, amond all others who junctioned GF's, made use of these abilities. When junctioned, Squall had asked Shiva to lend him the abilities of summoning, drawing, and item usage. The summoning ability was so Squall could call upon Shiva when he needed her.
Next, the draw ability, would let the GF's master draw magic from either enemies or draw points. Part of some SeeD training was to use magic, and magic had to be drawn. The magic had two ways of being used, one, for attack or support, second, to raise a user's stats, like strength or vitality. Also, to do that, one had to junction a GF. GF's used their incredible powers to raise their master's musculature, speed or dexterity, for example. Meaning usage of magic would be a double-edged sword. The magic could aid the user or hurt his opponent, but for every turn he used magic, the user would slowly, but surely, get weaker. That's where the drawing ability would come in handy, because of it, you would always be able to stock up on the magic you had lost.
Last, the item usage was an ability that often was handy for those who were afraid of the strength loss due to magic usage. It was quite funny, though, because it could make the GF sounding more like a carrier donkey. Basically, the GF made sure there was always room in your pocket. Meaning you could stock up on items like potions or phoenix downs, and the GF would carry them for you, and in some mysterious way always placing exactly the item you wanted in your pocket. It would be very handy, since otherwise, one would need a backpack to carry his items. Or carry all in his pockets. And walking around in the world with a bunch of items in your pockets could make you look like you were trying to smuggle fish out of Balamb.
Squall, as well as Seifer and all those others in his class, was well taught in how to use a GF. Only SeeD's was allowed to junction GF's full- time, but some chose not to do it, because there was warnings about usage of the GF's. Because of the abilities they learned, it could cause loss of memory. This, however, was not proved. For SeeD cadets, the GF's was only given a certain time before the exams, for example when the students was going to the Fire Cavern. And the GF's was always at a low level at the time they was given, because a powerful GF could choose to not obey its master.
This ran through Squall's mind as he walked towards the elevator, seeing it was Shiva that reminded him of the GF's life. Shiva was a good GF, always calm and caring for her master. No reports of trouble had ever been given on Shiva.
"I'm late. I'm late, I'M LATE!!" a girly voice screamed, before a girl with brown hair suddenly crashed into Squall. This tore Squall out of his thoughts, and he immediately found the balance. The girl, however, dropped to the floor.
"Are you ok?" Squall asked, just for polite sake. The girl jumped to her feet.
"Tee-Hee, I'm fine," the girl said. Squall rolled his eyes. Some hyperactive kid had just bumped into him.
"Sorry. I was kinda in a hurry.. Oh yeah! Hey, did you just come out from that class?" She asked nervously. "Is. registration over?" she added to the question. There were too many questions for one answer, Squall thought, so he just nodded.
"Woo.. Oh nooo. This place is sooo much bigger than my last garden!" she started complaining. Squall wanted to walk away, when the girl grabbed his arm. "Oh, hey, hey! I just transferred here. Do you think you could give me a quick tour of this garden?"
Squall thought it trough. He never liked talking too much with people, but he liked less letting them feel lost if he could do anything about it. He somehow just wanted to help people, no matter how bad the mood he was in.
"Sure," he said.
"Woo-hoo! Alright. Let's go!" the girl jumped up and down in excitement, a gesture Squall couldn't understand at all.
"We'll take the lift to the 1F lobby, and I'll show you the directory," Squall said. He walked off, the girl following his every step. As they walked over to the lift in the centre of Balamb garden she followed close behind.
A loud 'pling' told them the elevator had come down to 1F. Squall and the girl walked out of the elevator, and Squall pointed out a computer rig that was set right in front of the stairs.
"That's the directory," Squall exclaimed. He went over, the girl following, and they both stood right in front of the large computer.
"Well, this is it," Squall said, and looked at the girl. "Balamb Garden is pretty big. It's a good idea to check where you want to go, and select it here!" Squall had hoped that would be the end of the explanation. But obviously, the girl had never used a directory before.
"Basically, you just stand right here. The directory uses some sort of a short-range teleportation system. Notice this platform?" Squall said, and gazed down. The girl nodded. "This is the basic point. When you push the button on the screen," Squall pointed at the screen, but did not touch the screen itself. "You will be teleported to this facility. However, this is a one-way teleportation, so when you have selected a facility, you will be teleported there, and then you have to walk back here if you want to teleport again. Next, I'll give you a quick explanation of the various facilities!" Squall said.
"Yes, sir!" the little girl said. Squall rolled his eyes, and pointed at the facility farthest to the north in the directory:
"You'll find the dormitory to the north. The majority of the students live in the dorms. There aren't many students who commute!"
"Yeah, I'm in the dorms, too!" the girl exclaimed.
"You can rest and change in there," Squall continued. It was obvious, but he added it anyway. "West of the north block is the cafeteria. There's always a big rush for hot dogs. You better get used to waiting in line," he said.
"Got it!"
"East of the north block is the car park. We usually take the garden car when a mission comes up. The front gate, if you're going by foot, is located to the south," Squall went on. 'That's right. I have to go meet instructor Trepe at the front gate' he said to himself when he mentioned the front gate.
"Hm? What's the matter?" the girl asked.
"Nothing." Squall said, and pointed at the location to the west. "Next, we have the quad, located in the west block. There's an event being planned there."
"I know, I know!" The girl interrupted. "It's the garden festival! It's going to be great!" she howled in excitement. "I'm planning to be on the committee. You wanna help out, too!?" she asked.
"Let's just continue.." Squall said, paying no more attention to garden festival or whatever. "South of the west block is the infirmary. This is where you get treted for your injuries, but a lot of students just come here for advice," Squall said.
"What's the doctor's name?" the girl asked.
"Doctor Kadowaki," Squall replied. "Now the east block. This is the training centre. It's the only facility open at night. It's used for training, and they have real monsters running loose here. If you don't take it seriously, you may end up dead. Just be careful," Squall warned.
The girl gulped. ".ok," she said. Squall didn't mean to scare her, but it was necessary she took things seriously when being a SeeD cadet.
"South of the east block is the library. There's a lot of material you can look up there, but the terminals in the classroom are a lot more efficient. And you already know about the classroom on the 2F, right?" Squall said.
"Yep, I remember that one," the girl replied.
"By the way, the headmaster's office is located on the 3F. You need permission to get in!" Squall said, and concluded his tour with that. At least, there was nothing more to say about the directory.
"Another question," the girl broke in. "What's the headmaster's name?"
"Headmaster Cid," Squall said. As he mentioned his name, he remembered the old man. Headmaster Cid was a man of many aspects, and he fit perfectly the role of headmaster for a school that educated elite mercenaries.
"That's about it. Anything else?" Squall asked. His impatience began to move. Instructor Trepe was probably waiting.
"Got it," the girl said, and made Squall relax a bit more. He was about to go when the girl grabbed his arm. "Heey, um. Are you taking today's SeeD exam?" she asked.
"Yeah," Squall answered.
"Then maybe I'll see you again, later," she said, no doubt she was exited about it. "I've already finished my training at my previous Garden. I'm taking the SeeD exam today, too! Good luck to both of us, huh?" Squall nodded. Then, they both turned in different directions. "Thanks a lot!" the girl shouted before they went out of each other's hearing range.
Squall went towards the front gate, and nodded to the receptionist at the entrance. Balamb Garden had made quite a work out of their front gate. The rest of the Garden too, for that sake. The trees and grass were all green and the floor was always clean, so no complains could be made at the look of Balamb Garden.
Just before the gate out to the outer world, Squall passed a draw point. A draw point could pop up all over the world, although a great deal of them was hidden. The magic itself was a planet principal, and since monsters were born out of Gaia, the earth, and Luna, the moon, they often carried great amounts of magic, even if they couldn't or didn't use it. But draw points was magical fountains, pure magic out of Gaia itself. Squall looked at the fountain of tiny, purple beams that rose from the ground, before he reached out his hand, and concentrated on the magic. He could identify the magic as Cure as he drew the magic out of the fountain. He managed to draw 7 units of Cure from it.
From after that, Squall made his way out of the main gate, where Quistis Trepe waited for him.
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So how is it? I'm sorry it took me so long to write this chapter, but around Christmas and new year's eve it gets all busy with family, parties, presents, you know the deal. I promise I'll update next chapter ASAP. We're going to the Fire Cavern, folx!