Seifer applauded Squall. The others might not have understood, but they didn’t have to. Squall might have understood – he was quiet, not stupid – but it didn’t matter in the end. For the time being, he was the better man, and Seifer was man enough to admit that.

Nothing had changed between them. Indeed, it worked out in Seifer’s favor, for Squall was now more significant in the public eye. More of a challenge already… even if he was the same old Squall. Undoubtedly, that would change with the circumstance.

Better for him – the higher the goal, the greater the glory.