SeeD
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SeeD is a term given to mercenaries trained and employed by Balamb Garden in the Final Fantasy VIII computer role-playing game. The source of the name is unknown, but most likely refers to the fact that there are many SeeDs in Balamb Garden. There are three Gardens in the Final Fantasy VIII universe, but it is not clear if all three Gardens specialize in the training of SeeDs. Some notable SeeDs include Squall Leonhart, Quistis Trepe, Selphie Tilmitt, and Zell Dincht of Balamb Garden and Irvine Kinneas of Galbadia Garden.
Training
Residents of Balamb Garden, Trabia Garden, and Galbadia Garden receive their education as cadets until they are eventually selected to participate in the SeeD written test and Field Exam. The are taught extensively to be experts in fighting with their chosen weapons, as well to be proficient in magic and other various aspects that are essential to their success. The written tests are a culmination of what the cadets have learned throughout their education at the Garden, and are easily mastered by most. The Field Exam on the other hand is a rigorous trial of the abilities of a cadet. These trails can sometimes be dangerous as they are real life situations where the cadet must apply their skills to the given tasks. The cadets are not only judged by their talent in fighting but also by their attitudes and actions, demonstrating their skill in execution and ability to follow direction. Those who pass are given ranking levels based on their grade during Field Exam. These rankings dictate the position and salary of a SeeD, and can be changed as the SeeD experiences success in missions or as the Seed passes additional SeeD tests.
For Squall Leonhart, Zell Dincht, Seifer Almasy and Selphie Tilmitt, their SeeD field exam required them to travel to the town of Dollet and take part in a real life battle situation. The town had been attacked by Galbadian soliders under the command to capture and secure the satellite that was located there. When things started to go wrong, Squall and his companions seperated from the rebellious Seifer and managaged to escape. Squall, Zell and Selphie all became SeeDs for their efforts. Seifer however, didn't.
History
The Gardens of the world were founded by Edea and Cid Kramer for the purpose of training SeeDs to stop the eventual domination of the Sorceress Ultimecia. Before founding the Gardens, Cid and Edea were caretakers of a small orphanage, and most of the first generation of SeeDs were drawn from their charges. As time went on the Gardens began to take on a more involved political role on the world stage.
Eventually, Edea fell under the sway of Ultimecia, and seized effective control of the Galbadian government, and Galbadia Garden became a tool of Edea. In the war which followed, Trabia Garden was destroyed. Only Balamb Garden, under the command of neophyte SeeD Squall Leonhart, was able to withstand the onslaught of the Galbadian army. Under Squall's command, Balamb's SeeDs free Edea from Ultimecia's control, liberate Galbadia, and eventually vanquish Ultimecia herself.