Marineford, Marine Headquarters military harbor.
Three hundred Military Academy students stood in ten square formations on the docks by the harbor.
With his hands clasped behind his back, Zephyr looked at the students standing ramrod-straight with resolute expressions and delivered a forceful speech to rally them for their midterm exam:
"After more than four months of training, it is time to test the results of your efforts!
Next, I will lead you through a practical combat exercise..."
Once Zephyr had finished speaking, the Military Academy students picked up their luggage and boarded the warships one after another. Only then did Sephiroth walk up to him and say:
"Teacher Zephyr, for this exam, let's switch the classes we're leading!"
Hearing this, Zephyr could not help but feel puzzled, his face showing surprise.
"Why are you suddenly making this request?"
For this midterm exam, as usual, Zephyr was still leading Class One, the class with the highest overall caliber.
Considering that using two admiral-level combatants to escort one class of Military Academy students was somewhat extravagant and wasteful.
Thus, Zephyr had separated Sephiroth from himself and assigned him to lead Class Ten, the weakest class.
"It's nothing. I just simply want to lead Class One."
"Hm!?"
At those words, Zephyr's suspicions deepened. He suddenly recalled the rumors that had recently been circulating around the Military Academy.
For example, someone had seen a certain instructor frequently entering and leaving the female students' dormitory, while that female student often came out leaning against the wall...
"Hey! You brat, don't tell me you're going after Ain?" Zephyr asked in a strange tone.
He had also heard a little about his student's chaotic private life.
Thus, instinctively, he connected that rumor to Sephiroth...
"Uh!? That's part of the reason!"
"So that's it! No, I don't agree!