Squall woke up to the smell of harsh chemicals and the feeling that he was lying on a bed of bricks. There was an extremely bright light shining down onto his face, which made his eyes sting. He uttered a groan and blinked furiously before covering his eyes with a hand.

"Ah, you're awake," a woman's voice said, and with a squeak, the bright dentist-style lamp was removed from above his head and back onto the wall.

Squall blinked again for a few moments, and after his eyes had adjusted to the natural light, he looked around. He recognised the room it as the Infirmary, then was suddenly aware of an intense throbbing pain at the front of his head. Reaching up, he poked around cautiously and felt a thick, blood-stained bandage. In a rush of memories, he suddenly remembered it all. The fight, the heavy rain, Seifer gloating…

"How do you feel?" Dr. Kadowaki asked, waddling her plump figure over towards the side of the white medical bed.

"My forehead hurts," was Squall's original thought, but instead he simply replied: "…I'm okay."

"Mmm-hmm," Dr. Kadowaki hummed, eyeing him sceptically. He didn't meet her gaze.

Without saying anything, she took a small medical torch from one pocket and began shining closely it in Squall's eyes.

"Well, looks like your eyes are focusing," she mumbled, then switched off the torch and returned to her upright position. "You'll be fine. Can you say your name for me?"

"Squall," he said, and his voice echoed in his skull, which made his head hurt even more.

"Why don't you take it easy in training?" Dr. Kadowaki suggested. "Next time you might not be so lucky."

"Tell that to Seifer," Squall muttered, putting a hand to his aching head in an attempt to ease the pain.

Dr. Kadowaki clicked her tongue against her teeth in a loud 'tut' and rolled her eyes.

"That Seifer," she spat with distaste, "Won't listen to anyone. Why don't you just ignore him?"

"I can just run away," Squall spoke out defensively, glaring at her slightly.

"You wanna be cool, huh?" Dr. Kadowaki chucked heartily at Squall's typical attitude. "Well, don't get hurt in the process."

"Whatever," Squall thought, choosing not to take this advice.

"Let's see, your instructor is..." Dr. Kadowakipaused for a moment. "Quistis! I'll call her now. Just wait here a minute."

Squall slumped back down on the hard mattress, his hand placed firmly on his freshly scared forehead. He thought about the fight, and it dawned on him that soon every student in the academy would know everything about it. That was how things were here at Garden – nobody had any secrets.

A cool breeze blew in gently through the open window, and the light yellow curtains fluttered about. Squall closed his eyes and relaxed; the wind felt good on his face, easing his thumping headache.

"Quistis?" Dr. Kadowaki said on the phone, from the other side of the Infirmary. "Come get your student. Yes, yes, his injury's not serious. It'll probably leave a scar. …Right. Now please come by."

"Great," Squall thought bitterly, opening his eyes again. "A scar. As if the fact that I ended up passed out in the Infirmary wasn't enough humiliation."

Only then did Squall notice that for the past few moments, someone had been watching him through a large glass pane that separated the Infirmary from a quiet corridor.

It was a young girl with cropped brown hair, in white, blue and green clothes. She seemed so breezy, so light, that Squall could have sworn she had just drifted in, unnoticed, through the open window, like an angel.

"Squall," she said softly, her voice vibrating slightly and sounding muffled through the glass. "So we meet again."

Squall blinked, trying to get his eyes to focus so he could look through the glass more clearly, but the young woman disappeared as quickly as a passing summer breeze.

Squall decided not to think much of it, and turned his head as he heard the Infirmary's automatic doors slide open with a loud 'swoosh'. Gentle footsteps echoed about the small room as Squall's Instructor, Quistis Trepe, came in.

Quistis had blonde hair that she always wore in a tight bun, with some longer strands of hair escaping at the front and framing the sides of her young face. She had a lovely peaches-and-cream complexion, and was dressed in smart glasses and the female Garden uniform – long sleeved blouse with a sailor-style collar and bow, knee-length skirt and smart black heeled boots.

Quistis looked around for her student, and caught sight at Squall lying, quite pathetically, on the medical bed. She let out an impatient sigh, then a wry smile.

"I knew it'd be either you or Seifer!" she snapped impatiently, but in an understanding tone. Pausing, she breathed in through the nose and sighed again. "Come on, let's go. Today's the field exam."

Turning to leave, then peering over her shoulder to make sure Squall could walk on his own, she lead Squall out into the open-air corridor and quietly headed back to the classroom.

At eighteen years old, Quistis was the youngest Instructor in Balamb Garden. Her abilities put her in the ranks of SeeD, the mercenary force of Garden, at a very young age, and there was constantly a lot of pressure on her. Because of this she found it difficult to cope with frustration, and could become depressed over trivial matters, contrary to her cool exterior.

"Squall," Quistis began, slowing her pace as he walked ahead of her, "Is there something on your mind?"

"Not really," they said in unison, and Squall glared at Quistis over his shoulder. She was laughing quietly behind a hand, covering her mouth.

"What's so funny?" he demanded, visibly annoyed.

"Funny?" Quistis repeated with widened eyes and a big, innocent smile. "No, no, it's not that! I'm just happy. I feel like I'm beginning to understand my student a little. That's all."

Squall halted his steps and turned to face her, with a hand resting on his hip.

"I'm more complex than you think," was his comeback. She leant forwards towards him, gesturing with her hands.

"Then tell me," she said eagerly. "Tell me more about yourself."

Squall was beginning to feel uncomfortable. He turned his head so she wouldn't look at him.

"It's none of your –"

"Business!" Quistis finished for him, and laughed again, more openly this time.

Squall chose not to reply and the two continued to walk through the open-air corridor, taking in the sights and sounds of Garden, the military academy so named because it was the home of SeeD – an elite mercenary team that operated in small groups all over the world.

Balamb Garden was quite a campus; a large building decorated beautifully and built with exquisite architecture. The fountains and marble walkway surrounding the main circular foyer gave it such a peaceful air that it almost disguised the Garden's true nature. If it weren't for the countless students in uniform, nobody would ever realize that this was a technology-advanced military academy.

Balamb Garden was founded twelve years ago by it's current headmaster, Cid Kramer. It was followed, soon after, by the construction of two additional Gardens, one built in Trabia, the other in Galbadia. But Balamb Garden, being the original, was the largest and most well-known of the three, and many students already attended or transferred there.

Squall and Quistis made their way to Garden's second floor, and into Quistis' classroom. The room was full of an atmosphere common in any classroom at any school or academy – students chattering excitedly, some laughing loudly over a shared joke, turned around in their seats to talk to friends in the row behind. More studious pupils already had their books and tools out, ready for the lesson ahead and trying to get in some last minute reading. A paper plane flew over a few heads, one student hurriedly tried to finish his cafeteria hot dog before Instructor Trepe showed up, and one group of vain girls sat preening themselves; brushing each others hair and applying make-up before their first morning lesson as smitten male students watched.

Squall walked in and made his way through to the back row, where his seat was. This was typical of Squall – not wanting to be near anyone, and being alone every chance he got. As he walked through the rows of seats, he noticed more than one or two people staring at him, and he knew they would be staring at his scar. A few students nudged their friends and began whispering.

But as Quistis entered the room after Squall, the class became silence and the lively activity stopped.

"Good morning, class," she greeted them loudly, walking over to her large desk at the front of the room and sitting down. "Let's start with today's schedule."

Out of the corner of his eye, Squall could see Seifer, who sat in the opposite row, staring at him. Squall turned his head and Seifer grinned evilly back at him.

Squall was pleased to see a light but clearly visible scar running down the middle of Seifer's forehead, although Seifer himself didn't seemed to be bothered by the light scratch. He tauntingly ran his finger down the fresh scar, then pointed the same finger at Squall and mouthed the words: "Next time."

Any other person would have leapt right out of their seat and gone berserk at Seifer, but Squall was not a very aggressive person. He wasn't even passive-aggressive. He was just passive.

So Squall ignored Seifer, and turned his attention back to the front of the class, where Quistis was still speaking.

"There seem to have been some rumors flying around since yesterday," Quistis said, then paused and peered at the class over her glasses in a moment of suspense. "Yes, the field exam for SeeD candidates will begin later this afternoon."

Every student, with the exception of Seifer and Squall, gasped, and they all began to talk at once.

"Those not participating," Quistis barked in a raised voice, and the room once again fell silent, "And those who failed last week's written test," she paused again to glare at a few of the less academic students, "Are to remain here in study hall."

There were a few groans and a number of students began to boot up the in-built computers on their desks. They wouldn't be going anywhere today.

"Field exam participants will have free time until the exam," Quistis continued in her usual manner. "Just be sure you're in top condition. Meet in the hall at 1600 hours. I'll announce the team assignments there. Any questions?"

It appeared there were none, everyone was either stunned from the news, or had already started panicking.

"Oh and Seifer!" Quistis remembered, and in true Garden fashion, every student craned their necks round to the back of the room to see what was going on. "Do NOT injure your partner while training. Be careful from now on."

Seifer frowned in anger, causing the scar on his forehead to wrinkle up slightly, then looked over at Squall, then back at Quistis, and slammed his fist firmly on the desk in defiance. He gave Squall an evil glare, then slouched back casually in his seat. He was mad, but he kept his usual, cocky attitude at the forefront.

"Field exam participants," Quistis said breezily, ignoring Seifer's little tantrum," I will see you all later. Good luck, everyone!"

The majority of the students, including Seifer, got up and left in a hurry, some heading for the library to cram in some last minute facts and figures, and some to the training center to get themselves psyched up for the battles they would be facing that afternoon.

"And Squall, I need to talk to you," Quistis added as an afterthought.

He stood up and made his way to Quistis' desk. By the side of it were three 'Trepies' – a group of obsessive followers of Instructor Trepe.

"Try to smile a little when you're talking to the Instructor," a female Trepie told him as the three moved away to let Squall speak to her.

"Whatever," Squall thought to himself as the Trepies left the classroom.

"You haven't been to the Fire Cavern yet, have you?" Quistis asked, looking up from some paperwork. "You won't be able to take part in today's SeeD exam if you haven't passed the prerequisite."

"I was gonna go this morning, but Seifer…" Squall thought as he crossed his arms across his chest.

"Well?" Quistis looked up at him with raised eyebrows after he didn't reply. "Do you have a good excuse?"

"There's no reason to blame it on Seifer," Squall thought. "I did agree to do the training."

"...Not really." he said eventually, with a small shrug.

"Then let's get going," Quistis replied, standing up. "If you're not too confident yet, remember you can review your studies at the study panel on your desk. I'll be waiting at the front gate, so come down when you're ready."

Quistis collected her last few papers and walked out of the classroom.

Squall went over to his desk and turned on his personal computer, a little insulted that Quistis thought he needed to review his studies. Well ,she was probably just looking out for him. A blow to the head like the one he had received this morning could well have made him forget some important things.

Besides, he had to access the network on the computer so he could acquire his GFs.

According to the Balamb Garden Data Network (BGDN), a GF, or Guardian Force, was described as: an independent energy force. By combining it with para-magic, it is possible to control tremendous energy. Memory loss is a possible side effect, but this has not been proven as of yet.

Squall's GF were Quezacotl, a lightning-powered bird, and Shiva, an ice maiden.

He acquired them from the system, then decided to take a little look at the Garden messages. Squall wasn't social, and didn't take part in any extra-curricular activities at the academy, but he did like to stay in the know about what was happening.

There was nothing important new today – only a few ridiculous messages about hot dogs, a list of new library books that had arrived, and some updates on the Garden Festival, which Squall was not interested in.

He logged off his computer and made he was out of the second floor classroom and into the corridor, only to hear a loud, high-pitched shriek that hurt his head so much he had to cover his ears.

"I'm late, I'm late, I'M LATE!"

A short girl with flicked-out glossy brown hair and a very petite figure came racing down the corridor and bumped right into Squall, sending herself tumbling backwards and landing in a tangled heap. Squall skidded slightly, but managed to maintain his balance.

"Are you okay?" he asked her, as she bounced to her feet in an odd little jump.

"There," she said quietly to herself, dusting off her skirt, then looked up at Squall with a beaming smile and giggled. "I'm fine! Sorry, I was kinda in a hurry."

She peered over his shoulder and pointed to the classroom door a little way behind him. Squall noticed her hyperactive green eyes were unusually bright, even under the dim, artificial lights above them, and she seemed to blink a lot, more than most people.

"Did you just come from that class?" she asked perkily.

Squall nodded.

"Is…" the girl bit her bottom lip and winced, "…registration over?"

Squall nodded again and the girl bent her knees and crouched towards the floor, almost as if strings that had been holding her up had been cut, and her body went limp.

"Woo … oh, nooo…" she breathed. "This place is soooo much bigger than my last Garden!"

She returned to her upright position, and was suddenly very bouncy again.

"Hey, I just transferred here," she told him with a smile. "Do you think you could give me a quick tour of this Garden?"

Squall wasn't usually very friendly, but he wasn't heartless either, and he did have plenty of time to kill.

"...Sure." he said, a little reluctantly.

"Whoo-hoo!" the girl cheered, punching the air. "Alright, let's go!"

"We'll take the lift to the first floor lobby and I'll show you the directory," Squall explained while leading her down the next corridor. "It's this way."

The lift doors slid open automatically and they walked in. Squall pushed the button for the first floor, there was a gentle 'ding', the doors closed and the lift began to descend.

Squall took this opportunity to take a closer look at the bubbly transfer student. He couldn't believe how tiny she was, and how fragile she looked. She seemed very out of place in a military academy. And she never stood still - even now she was bouncing on the balls of her feet and quietly humming a tune to herself while staring into space with her wide open eyes.

"That's the directory," Squall pointed over to it as they reached the first floor and walked down a set of stairs. "Balamb Garden is pretty big. It's a good idea to check where you want to go on here first, before you start wandering around."

"Okie-dokie!" the girl said in a sing-song voice.

"You'll find the dormitory to the north," Squall began. "The majority of the students live in the dorms. There aren't that many students who commute."

"Yeah, I'm in the dorms, too!" the girl told him excitedly.

"You can rest and change in there," Squall continued. "West of the North Block is the cafeteria. There's always a big rush for the hot dogs. You better get used to waiting in line."

"Got it!" the girl nodded.

"East of the North Block is the Car Park. We usually take the Garden car when a mission comes up. The front gate is located to the south. Next, we have the quad, located in the West Block. There's an event being planned there-"

"I know! I know! It's the Garden Festival!" the girl interrupted. "It's going to be great! I'm planning to be on the committee! You wanna help out, too?"

"Uh … let's just continue. South of the West Block is the infirmary. This is where you get treated for your injuries, but a lot of students just come here for advice from Dr. Kadowaki. Now the East Block. This is the training center. 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."

"Dead?" the girl repeated, and gulped.

"South of the East Block is the library. There's a lot of material you can look up here, but the terminals in the classroom are a lot more efficient. And you already know about the classroom on the second floor, right?"

"Yep, I remember that one, it's Instructor Trepe's."

"By the way, the headmaster's office is located on the third floor. You need permission to get in. Just go to the reception or ask one of the Garden Faculty. Or even better, ask your Instructor, who will give you a key."

"Another question. What's the headmaster's name?"

"Headmaster Cid," Squall said, turning to face her. "And that's about it. Anything else?"

"Nope!" the girl beamed at him. "I get it now. Hey, um … are you taking today's SeeD exam?"

"Yeah," Squall nodded.

"Then maybe I'll see you again, later. I've already finished my training at my previous Garden. Good luck to both of us, huh? Thanks a lot!"

And before Squall could say goodbye, she had bounced off. Squall watched her go in bewilderment. He didn't think he'd ever met someone with such a huge amount of energy.

After the unexpected interlude, Squall was now free to make his way down to the main gate, the entrance of Balamb Garden. He walked through the turnstiles, then along a long, narrow walkway. It was beautifully built, and although twelve years old, it still looked brand new, like the rest of Garden. The walkway was lined with trees and small fountains, and looked particularly pretty in the summer. Squall took a moment to look up into the sky. There was not a cloud in sight, and the sun beat down heavily. He was surprised how quickly the storm from the earlier that morning had cleared up.

A tiny white feather fluttered along the breeze onto Squall's cheek, and he brushed it away.

Quistis came into view now, leaning her weight against a large statue of a lion, dressed in her casual clothes. On most regular days, Instructors and some older students were allowed to wear what they desired; clothes that they felt comfortable in. They were especially worn on small missions and exam preparation such as this, for freedom of movement.

Quistis' outfit of choice was a peach-colored two piece, consisting of a sleeveless zip-up top and knee-length skirt. These were teamed with knee-high brown boots and her weapon – a chain whip.

Upon seeing Squall arrive, Quistis stood up and stepped towards him.

"Ready?" she asked, and Squall nodded.

"Good," she smiled. "I assume you're familiar with your GFs by now?"

Squall nodded again, without saying anything.

"Great," Quistis turned to the large gold gate that was the main entrance and exit of Balamb Garden. "The cavern's east of here, so let's get going."