Story (Plot Details)
This basically is the known story so far to FFVIII. Umm...spoilers included? Well, not really. Doesn't tell the ending or anything... The strange shaped building that you may have seen is a school for soldiers. It's called Garden. Squall is one of the trainees at this school. It is a private school for kids from six to nineteen years of age. If a kid doesn't pass the graduation exam during the ages of 15 to 19, the student will be expelled from Garden. A much harder goal than passing the graduation exam is to become a member of SeeD. SeeD is a special force like the Green Beret. Highly capable trainees have a chance to try out for SeeD. Squall is hoping to become a member of the squad.
There's no Magic Shop in FFVIII. Basically, normal people cannot use magic, but Garden graduates are exceptional and can.
You may think this world is peaceful at first glance, but it hides many small problems, carrying a situation where war can break through at any time. The Garden was created in this world. A private school of soldiers created to quiet the disputes. They are located all around the world, but they do not work under any country. By sending the Garden soldiers around the world, the seeds of world war were being destroyed and the military powers were balanced. Until the legendary witch awoke from the long silence.
When Squall is inducted into SeeD, he attends a dinner party for new members, during which he meets Rinoa. Although they do not reveal who they are, Squall encounters Rinoa later, and discovers that she is the leader of the Forest Owls, a rebel organization fighting against the nation of Galbadia. The Forest Owls are not very effective in their battles against Galbadia, even though they have been assisted by SeeD. The members of Forest Owls appear to have little concern about the consequences of their actions. After meeting Rinoa, Squall has a strange dream in which he is Laguna Loire, a Galbadian soldier who would rather be a journalist. In the dream, Laguna is on a mission with Ward and Kiros.
Meanwhile, Galbadia has annexed nieghboring Dole, and has declared war on the rest of the world. The president of Galbadia was assisted by the witch Edea. Because it is suspected the Edea is behind the recent Galbadian actions, Squall is sent out to assassinate her. Complicating matters is the appearance of Seifer, Squall's longtime rival, at Edea's side. Seifer has two loyal bodyguards, Raijin and Fuujin, who will make Squall's mission harder.
Fundamentally witches have been the only women that have powerful magics. They are not immortal, but rather, mortal. A witch can pass her powr as a witch on to the person she chooses. It is said that a witch's power does not run in the blood, so a person chosen by a witch suddenly gets a tremendous magical power. For young people, including Squall, witches are just what exist only in legends.
Specifics
Garden :
The strange shaped building in the game serves as a school for soldiers. It is called the Garden, and Squall is a trainee in the school (Balamb Garden). It's a private school for students of ages 6 to 19. If a student doesn't pass the exam during the ages of 15 to 19, the student is expelled from Garden. Only graduates are the ones able to us magic. There are mny gardens around the world.
Squall is hoping to become a member of the squad. While Squall was an excellent pupil of Garden, Seifer (an upperclassman) was so reckless and warlike that he was not allowed to become a member of SeeD. His envy of Squall led to his decision to choose him for the training duel (where he used illegal tactics, thus scarring Squall). Seifer as two henchmen; Raijin and Fuujin.
Balamb
Balamb is a large island, comparable to Austrailia. Balamb Garden is one of many Gardens throughout the world. Balamb Garden is treated like a school, as there are areas such as the nurses office, a student restaurant, and a main gate. Though students are required to enter and exit through the main gate, there seems to be a secret path some students use to meet with their sweetharts.
Galbadia
The nation of Galbadia, led by President Deling, declares war on their neighboring Dole, and the rest of the world. SeeD suspects that the witch Edea is behind the declaration and sends Squall to assassinate her. Through his journey, Squall is surprised to find that Seifer has teamed up with Edea, and wishes to join in on the plot for global domination.
Forest Owls
Squall attends a dinner party for new members where he first meets Rinoa. He later learns that Rinoa is the leader of the resistance group, Forest Owls. Their goal is the liberation of an area known as Timber which is at present controlled by President Deling of Galbadia. The Forest Owls are not effective in their defense, even with the help of SeeD. As of yet, the outcome of this battle is unknown.
