Serah nervously clutched her graduation certificate in front of her chest as they made their way to the meeting point.
Despite all of her hard work, she couldn't help but feel a wave of trepidation when she thought of meeting Sephiroth.
As a cadet, she had heard horror stories about his training techniques and she was unsure if she could reach his expectations.
She remembered her father's stern words when he had learned about her graduating to third class and the responsibilities that would come with the new rank.
'Serah, you have to train with Sephiroth,' he'd said. 'Don't be afraid; use this opportunity to learn and grow.'
When they arrived, Sephiroth didn't seem too welcoming.
He assessed her with his piercing gaze before reluctantly leading her away to begin her training.
Serah felt the weight of his expectations heavily on her shoulders as she followed him, unsure of what to do or say.
Sephiroth's training was something that she had to adjust to.
His grueling tasks and hardy conditioning put her to the test, and it seemed that no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't satisfy him. He would often berate her for her mistakes, leaving her feeling inadequate and scared.
However, despite her initial worries she was gradually beginning to understand Sephiroth's methods.
He began to challenge her; pushing her to reach for better, and asking her to think through her methods.
As time went by she could see the improvement in her skills and her knowledge.
When Serah looks back on this training experience, she's grateful for the insight she gained.
She now realizes that it was a vital part of her development as a third class SOLDIER, and while she may not have achieved Sephiroth's exacting standards, she has gained respect for his methods and the improvements she has made along the way.