Aki's etiquette class.

"Alright, folks. Let's practice our dance moves in the ballroom, the whole song from beginning to end this time, please. Since we have more boys than girls... Ladies, please change partners so everyone has a chance to practice," Instructor Aki announced, leading the class to the ballroom practice room in the basement.

S20 and S21 were mixed this time to balance the fact that girls accounted for only a third of the student body. Acma's limited height made it challenging for her to find partners who didn't make her look like she was floating on the dance floor.

She debated whether to initiate a conversation and greet him first. She did her part by sending him a friendly note. The ball was in his court now. If he kept ignoring her, that meant he wanted to end their mentor-mentee relationship.

Then, he slowly approached her. It felt like an eternity before he spoke the first words.

"Did you take enough of a break? When do you want to resume our training? The next mission is approaching, if I remember our schedule correctly," he bombarded her with questions, not waiting for her to answer as usual.

"Yeah... I had a good rest. We can... meet after my lab today?" she suggested.

"Good," he nodded.

"Hey... I'm sorry about the other day. I promise I won't pass out like that again. You know I really appreciate your help," she murmured.

She could tell he was surprised by her apology, but quickly retorted.

"No need to apologize. You're 16, prime time to have a boyfriend. I was once your age. Secret Area is surely fun even for a nerd," he smirked.

"It's not like that..." She shook her head, not wanting to get into the Secret Area business again. So she changed the topic. "Anyway, why are you here?"

"I can't skip this stupid class. I've never managed to passed it before," Zyma replied.

Acma giggled. "Didn't you tell me that martial arts is like dancing?"

"I said that for your own interpretation, girl. Telling that to a dude makes it more confusing," he responded.

She waved her index finger, "I should record that. You're the one bringing up the gender stereotype this time."

Caught off guard, he chuckled. "I guess... Hey, listen. I'm sorry about the other day, too. Things I've said. Reset?

"Reset," she smiled and nodded.

Aki turned on a song and signaled for everyone to start practicing.

"Well, I'd love to be your dance partner, but... I don't think our heights quite match for that," she said.

"You're probably the shortest in the entire school, kid. Why don't you wear high heels?"

"Right, go find your boyfriend," Zyma smirked. "Oh no, he's dancing with the hottest girl of the garden again," he said, looking in Timeth's direction.

Acma suppressed a smile, biting her lip. "Is there something you want to ask me?"

"Like what?"

"Nothing," she shrugged and gestured towards another friend, "just asking before I grab Raddie, if you don't mind."

"Be my guest."

"Alright. I'll see you this afternoon, Sensei."

She joined Raddie, who happened to be looking for a dance partner as well. She appreciated that Raddie took the time to adjust his shoes and lower his knees during the dance.

Meanwhile, Zyma approached Trepie #23, who was the teaching assistant for the dance class herself.

"Trepie #23, how have you been?"

Zyma's room.

"What are we learning today?" Acma asked.

"GFs," Zyma replied.

Acma's eyes lit up. "I've heard you're an expert in that matter, but I've never seen you with one."

"You have to prove yourself worthy before seeing my collection, pupil. They're not like pets that you can just come and see. You have to learn how to communicate with them. Otherwise, it would be suicidal to enter their nests."

"Like the Fire Cavern? I heard it was easy, and almost every cadet can deal with Ifrit with support."

"The one in the Fire Cavern is just a replica, made from a fragment of the real GF's spirit. We call the original ones dark GFs."

"Why are they called 'dark' GFs?" Acma asked.

"What kind of question is that?"

"I mean, is there anything special about the 'dark' ones? I know there are fluffy GFs like Carbuncle and scary-looking ones like Diablos. Are they different in nature or personalities? What makes a GF a dark GF?"

"I see. It's just a terminology," Zyma said.

"But who came up with that term?"

"I don't know. GF is a concept that goes far back in history. Why ask these useless questions? It's like asking why a table is called a 'table'."

"I'm just curious. I wouldn't ask these if you didn't claim to be an expert," Acma replied.

Zyma shook his head, handing her his thick notebook. "Read it, and then ask me any questions afterward." He then lay down on the sofa, putting his bandana over his eyes to relax.

"I thought you never sleep in the evening…"

"Shut up and read."

Acma opened the notebook filled with Zyma's handwriting and drawings, gasping at the beauty of the GFs he had encountered.

"These are all from your hunts?" she asked.

"Uh-huh," Zyma confirmed.

"Where are they now? I haven't heard of more than half of these names," Acma said.

"I'll take that secret to my grave. Balamb Garden is one of the few places that allow the usage of GFs in human consciousness. We only need replicas to wield magic. Only a few dark GFs are willing to be permanently attached to a human and follow their commands, like you've seen our Legendary SeeDs do. The rest of the dark GFs prefer to hide in their places and not interfere with humans," Zyma explained.

"How do you know if a dark GF wants to join forces with humans?"

"That's why you need to learn how to communicate with them."

Acma nodded. She had used GF junction many times before, but she didn't really understand the mechanism behind it.

"Do you experience amnesia when using a GF?" Acma inquired.

"I don't junction, if that's what you're asking. It's a perk of being a damage dealer."

"I see..." Acma continued reading Zyma's detailed notes, realizing that it would take her a couple of days to fully absorb all the information. She appreciated his effort in compiling his knowledge in a visual way.

"When I become a SeeD, can I have a dark GF?" Acma asked.

"If you're good enough. Have you heard about our magic lamp tradition?"

"No," Acma replied.

"After the SeeD ceremony, the headmaster will hand over a magic lamp with a GF inside. The newly appointed SeeDs have to fight the GF, and the one who deals the last hit can equip the GF," Zyma explained.

"Equip? Like owning a real dark GF?" Acma asked.

"Yes, the real ones are more powerful than the replicas used for junctioning magic. You can use dark GFs in real battles, as tanks, magic dealers, and even combine their magic with yours to create a combo," Zyma said.

"Wait," Acma interrupted, "what do you mean by creating a combo with our magic?"

"If I remember correctly, you're a Holy caster, right?" Zyma asked.

Acma sighed. "People exaggerate my ability too much. I only cast it twice."

"That's good enough. Not many people this young can handle it. Twice means it wasn't pure luck. Try mixing your magic with a dark GF's magic next time," Zyma suggested.

"Mix? How?"

"Tch... that's something you have to figure out. I'm not a magic caster, but I've seen some do that with GFs," Zyma replied.

"Okay..." Acma nodded. "But does that mean other types of magic, like Thundaga, can also be mixed with GFs to enhance their effects?"

"I'm not a magic expert, you are, kid. Ask your lab mentor, she's an expert in Blue Magic which is extremely hard to master. But honestly, you'll have to learn these advanced techniques on your own. Textbooks only give you the basics. Mentors can only show you what has worked for them. So don't rely on these resources or limit yourself by their suggestions," Zyma explained.

He sat up from the sofa and added, "2200. I guess it's time for you to meet up with your boyfriend?"

"Oh please! Not that topic again," she exclaimed. "I've told you, he's not my boyfriend."

"Then why you two come to Secret Area every night? Don't tell me he's helping you with Physics assignment."

"Maybe we do," Acma raised her voice. "And why do you care about us so much?"

He shrugged. "I can't ask how my mentee distributes her energy?"

"Energy? Ew... not that again. Please! I'm underage!"

"Right, be careful, kid."

"Ugh... Wait a sec," she turned to him. "Why is me hanging out with Timeth bothering you so much?'' She narrowed her eyes, her suspicion grew. "Do you have a girlfriend?"

"Of course I do," he answered promptly, catching her off guard this time.

"Like… a real one?"

He scoffed, "What do you mean?"

"You said you're into GFs and women. You claim yourself to be an expert in GFs, but I've never seen you with one. Well," Acma thought of a clever analogy. "Is your girlfriend a real, tangible person, like a dark GF, and not some virtual replica?"

"Wow, is that even possible? I'm a low-tech guy, not aware of the virtual girlfriend industry," he playfully replied.

"So, she's a real person?"

"As real as a dark GF," he confirmed. "Who knows, maybe we'll meet in the Secret Area someday, four of us."

"Is she from Garden? Please..." Acma was intrigued by the idea and flashed a mischievous smile. "Bring her there. Prove that she's… real," she emphasized the last word, indicating her skepticism.

Zyma crossed his arms and reclined on his sofa. "I sense a potential bet here."

"Likewise, sensei. Stakes?"

"1000 Gil."

"I don't have that kind of money," Acma frowned.

"Anything less than that isn't worth my time."

"Fine. Do you accept monthly payment?"

"Sure. Five percent interest rate."

"Two."

"Four."

"Two point five. Final," she offered.

"Tch…" Zyma sighed, knowing where she got that from. "Okay then. Define 'win'?"

"If you catch me and Timeth engaging in any romantic activities in Secret Area, it's 500. If you can bring a physically tangible girlfriend to Secret Area, another 500. Clear?"

"Clear as Balamb's sky," he smiled and nodded. "We'll randomly check on each other to avoid any setup."

"Fair enough. Oh, wait, wait, there must be a termination date," she pointed out. "The bet will terminate by the end of the SeeD exam.''

"Gosh, I love doing business with you," he exclaimed. "Contract?"

"No need. I trust that you keep your words, sensei," she said, standing up. "Well… good night. And I hope to meet your mysterious girlfriend or GF soon."