Garden

The Garden refers to the three educational institutions in Final Fantasy VIII. Each Garden trains youths into becoming specialized military forces, and is headed by two individuals, an administrator, referred to as Master, and a Headmaster.

History
The idea of Gardens was originally started by Edea Kramer as a haven for orphanages for the future. Cid Kramer, her husband is intrigued with the plan and began seeking beneficiaries for financial support. The Shumi NORG gave major contributions into building the first Garden, Balamb Garden. The facility itself was built by the technological masterminds of Fisherman's Horizon, and was placed on the central continent in the world of Final Fantasy VIII.

Balamb Garden is administrated by NORG, and Cid Kramer becomes its headmaster. Due to the funding needed to run the Garden, NORG suggested dispatching elite mercenary forces called SeeDs around the world. The Garden benefited from the enormous funds flowing in, and the Garden became a training facility since. After some time, two more Gardens were built; Galbadia Garden and Trabia Garden. Galbadia's Master is Martine, who is also the Headmaster - until Edea, under control of Sorceress Ultimecia takes over. The headmaster of Trabia is never revealed.

The Gardens were made to train SeeD, an elite mercenary force completing missions around the world, in wait for their ultimate goal of defeating the Sorceress. Dr. Odine created the system of Guardian Forces, which let the SeeD students junction magic to themselves to increase their strength, as well as use the GFs in battle.

The Garden buildings were initially Centra Shelters before being built into Gardens. Ancient Centra traveled around the world using these Shelters after the Lunar Cry devastated their homeland. The MD Level is where the control system for the Shelter is located, where the oil stratum fuels the system that moved the Garden. At present, the original structure was left intact - the engineers from Fisherman's Horizon had only remodeled the Shelter - and entry is strictly forbidden.

In the final non-CG cutscene in the game after Ultimecia has been defeated for the last time, Squall Leonhart becomes lost in the time compression and returns to where he promises to meet Rinoa Heartilly after the conflict (dialogue immortalized by the game's opening CG sequence). Though he nails the location, he overshoots the time he must return to, and thus confronts Edea as Matron (and his own, young self) in the front courtyard of the orphanage. It is here that Ultimecia reappears, having followed Squall on her last legs, and transfers her sorceress abilities over to Matron. During the discourse Matron has with Squall, he explains who he is and where - or rather when - he is from, and initiates conversation about the origin of SeeD and the founding of Garden, explaining to Matron how they were her ideas. So, in perhaps the story's most ironic twist, the plot becomes cyclical, and Squall is revealed to be truly responsible for the creation of both SeeD and Garden.

The Garden Code
Among the articles and text-based lessons drilled into each Garden student is the Garden Code. A series of articles that informs the student on possible actions that could be performed during a given situation. (For example: Article 8, Line 7 dictates: 8:7... In the event that returning to the assigned Garden is not possible, report to the nearest Garden.)

Rules
SeeDs may not use weapons or magic in the Garden, apart from the Training Center. The rules also state that one may not bring animals into the Garden (Angelo, Rinoa's dog, however, is seen wandering around in the celebratory ball in the ending, thus either meaning she is an exception or the rule had been dropped in Balamb Garden). Loitering, eating in classes and the library, violence and sexual abuse is strictly prohibited. T-Boards (a floating type of skateboard) and similar forms of transportation are also not allowed. Cadets must also obey these rules, as well as respect a curfew. Students may not leave their dorms post-curfew unless at the training center or with special permission from Garden faculty. Cadets must also abstain from purposefully injuring fellow cadets while training. Cadets who break the rules may be reported to SeeD or Garden Faculty. The student-run Disciplinary Committee also oversees cadet behavior. SeeDs who break Garden rules will be referred to their superior officer, and may face demotion or court martial.

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Facility Rules
Classroom: -Student's should be in their seats and waiting for the instructor 5 minutes before class. -When class is over, proceed quietly to your next class. -Food, weapons and magic are prohibited. -Study panels are shared. Handle with care.

Training Center: -Proceed with caution. There are real monsters in the training center. -It is open 24 hours. Entering the ground for reasons other than training is prohibited. -Do not engage in battles beyond your abilities.

Infirmary: -Visit the infirmary if you have any health concerns or problems. -No items may be taken from the infirmary without permission. -Follow the doctors instructions.

Library: -Open Hours: 9.00 am-lights out. -Library usage: All materials are open to public. You may check-out materials at the desk. -Remain quiet at all times.

Dormitory: -Everybody is welcome to apply. -SeeDs have priority for single rooms. -Going out after-hours for reasons other than training is prohibited. -Do not leave personal possessions in common areas.

Cafeteria: -Open Hours: 9.00 am-9.00 pm. -Keep the area clean. -If late-night meals are required, order them before hand.
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Student Rules
Garden Precepts: Work hard. Study hard. Play hard.

Attire: In general, there is no dress-code in Balamb Garden. However, dress accordingly if instructed to do so by your superiors.

Reward and Punishment: -The Headmaster presents official commendations to outstanding students. -Students who engage in violent acts, sexual promiscuity, or who fall behind in their curriculum, etc. may be expelled from Garden.

Conduct: -The skills acquired in Garden must never be used for personal gain. -Refrain from committing acts that may damage the Garden's reputation. -Take time to think things through before starting a relationship.

Procedures in case of an emergency: -If you are on 2f, use the emergency exit next to the classroom. If you are on 1F, exit through front gate. All students must take care of junior classmen during emergencies. -Do not use the elevator during an emergency.

Evening Outings: All students should be in their dorm rooms before after-hours unless at the training center.
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Admission and Graduation Info
Admission: -Applicants between ages 5-15 are admitted. -All hardworking and confident youths are welcome. -Ambitious overachievers are also welcome. -Applicants are admitted only after passing a final interview.

Graduation: -Must be between 15-19 years of age. -One must have all the required skills and knowledge taught through Garden courses. -One must have the Headmaster's approval to graduate. -At age 20, regardless of graduation, all students are released from the Garden.

Opportunities for Alumni: -The Garden supports a program that helps graduates enlist in armies all over the world. -Instructors and SeeDs are permitted to remain at the Garden. However, SeeDship must be attained before the age of 20.

Uniform
While dress standards are usually casual in Gardens such as Balamb, Garden does require students to wear cadet uniforms for formal occasions or external operations where the Garden is represented.

The uniforms of each Garden are in similar design to each other with patterned shoulder pieces and silver linings. The Garden logo appears partway down the right sleeve. The main difference between the uniforms is the colour scheme; Balamb Garden's consists of a navy blue base with yellow accent, Trabia Garden's a light blue base with purple accent and Galbadia Garden's black base with red accent. Upon graduation, SeeD members receive their own formal uniforms.

Students
Children between the ages of five and fifteen years old may apply to become a Garden cadet. To become a student, one must first pass an interview. Students are allowed stay with their family and commute if they do not wish to live in the Garden's dorms. Cadets take classes in general education, athletics, combat, magic, and (in Balamb Garden) Guardian Force use. When Cadets turn 15, they may attempt to become SeeD at an exam given every spring. Students from the other Gardens transfer to Balamb each spring to take part in the SeeD exam. Students have until age 20 to pass the SeeD exam before they are required to leave the Garden.

During schooling each student is assigned to a group that reflect upon what they are studying and/or in accordance to their chosen profession.


 * Attack Magic Operative: Students who specialize in attack magic, such as elemental spells. They're usually MG level 1.
 * Indirect Magic Operative: Students who specialize in indirect/support magic (i.e.: Esuna, Haste, Slow, etc) They're usually MG level 1.
 * Fire Platoon: Students who are part of an emergency "fire brigade", acting as emergency personnel.
 * Sabers: Students who specialize in bladed weapons such as swords, spears or knives.
 * Restore Magic Operative or Medics: Students specialized in healing techniques and spells. Organized into rescue teams.

The level of competence in their studies is reflected by a level 'ranking' featured after their group title. (eg. Fire Platoon Lvl 3, Indirect Magic Operative Lvl 2). By logic, there are more specializations, but they went unmentioned throughout the game.

Faculty
The Garden staff responsible for the administration and overseeing conduct and ethics. Each Garden has their own set of faculties with different uniforms; Balamb Garden's is dressed in white and red robes with a yellow, face-covering headgear, Galbadia Garden's in tracksuits while Trabia's in standard military garb.

Faculty classification systems within the Gardens follow that of a standard real-world school. (ie Principal, Instructor, Faculty, Doctor, Psychiatrist ,etc.) but there are one or two extra ranks, as well:


 * Headmaster:
 * Faculty/Instructor: Instructors and Faculty must first be SeeD members to obtain a job in a Garden.
 * Doctor:
 * Funder/Garden Master: The position held by the major income source and contributor to a Garden.

Alumni
All Gardens support a program which helps graduates enlist in armies all over the world. This program was created by Martine, the Galbadia Garden Headmaster.