The bell tolled as the last few students slipped into class. Duncan gave them a moment to organise themselves, sitting back in his chair with steepled fingers, mentally reviewing the day to come. This year's test was a particularly dangerous one; Sod's law that it would be his class. His gaze roved the room, looking each examinee in the eye as if to gauge their nerve. If things got rough out there, some of them might never return. Scary thought.

Once everyone was situated and silence had fallen, Duncan finally spoke. [b]'... As you know, today is the field test for SeeD candidates. Those of you who failed last week's written test, well tough luck. You lot aren't to leave this room til day's end.'[/b] More than half the class groaned plaintively. [b]'The rest of you lovely people will be following yours truly onto a real, God's honest battlefield. There will be blood and glory to spare, so get your heads on straight. But that's for later; in the meantime...'[/b] He stood heavily and began to tap away at his lectern console. Within seconds, each student got a notification at their own console; for those on the test it was a set of warning orders and disclaimers. For the rest, a twenty page workbook to be completed by the end of the day. [b]'Read through all that shyte and print out your disclaimers and will. I need them all signed and presented to me in half hour's time or else you are not coming on the test. This is not optional boys and girls; last thing Garden needs is your parents suing because you did something dumb on mission.'[/b] The forms were standard Garden waivers, absolving the Garden and its staff of any and all responsibility should the signatory come to any harm. Duncan had signed so many over the years that he didn't even bother reading them anymore. [b]'Oh don't look so shocked... You'll get used to this crap if you ever do become SeeDs and more besides... Well? What are you waiting for? Start signing.'[/b] As the class dissolved into little groups to discuss and complete their tasks, Duncan took a slow wander around the room, stopping here and there to help a student confused or stuck on a form, or to mock a one for a mistake.