Children of The Stellar Severance

Buttoning up my navy blue jacket, I paused to give myself a quick once-over in the mirror. The jacket was elegant, with subtle silver accents on the cuffs that fit my taste perfectly. Beneath it, a crisp white shirt was framed by a sleek silver tie, adding a formal touch that balanced the outfit. In addition, the light beige trousers contrasted nicely with the darker jacket, lending a scholarly and refined air.

Adjusting the jacket one last time, my fingers lingered on one of the silver buttons. It wasn't on purpose but a mix of nerves and bubbling anticipation as I prepared for the day. With a final glance at my reflection, I turned and made my way out of the dorm room, the faint echo of my footsteps accompanying me down the hall to the dorm room next to mine. 

Stopping at the door, I knocked lightly, the sound interrupting the stillness of the early morning. As I waited for a response, I shifted my weight slightly, exhaling deeply. My breath felt lighter than it had in days, a welcome relief after yesterday's doctor's appointment. 

The door creaked open slowly, revealing Noel and Natalia, who stepped out dressed impeccably in their school uniforms. Their attire matched mine, but with subtle differences that highlighted their elegance. Instead of trousers, their uniforms featured tailored skirts that ended just above their knees, complementing the navy blue jacket.

"Good morning," I greeted, stepping back to give them room in the hallway. "You two look ready for the big day. How are the both of you feeling about the classes—more specifically, the genetic resonance?"

Natalia let out a slightly nervous laugh, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Honestly? A mix of excitement and dread," she said, her voice carrying a note of nervousness. "I've been reading about it for years, but actually going through it feels... surreal. I'm just hoping it goes smoothly without any unexpected turn of events."

Noel nodded in agreement, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "Same here. Though I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little anxious about the genetic resonance. It's one thing to study it and another to go through it."

I chuckled softly. "That's fair. It's not every day you undergo something that fundamentally alters who you are—or what you are."

Natalia raised an eyebrow, a strange glint in her eyes. "You're awfully calm about it. Don't tell me you're not nervous at all."

"I'm nervous, trust me," I admitted while adjusting my jacket. "But more than that, I'm curious. I've been worrying about this moment for as long as I can remember. Now that genetic resonance is finally here, though..." I paused, searching for the right words. "It feels like time itself is speeding up, pushing me toward something I can't avoid."

I managed a small, excited smile. "Well, I guess we're about to find out what genetic resonance has in store for us."

"Alright, everyone, listen up," a young man called out, his voice clear and easy to hear. "I'm Frazer, and I'll guide you to Class 1-A today. Just a heads-up, I'm only with you today—after this, you'll be making your way there on your own."

Once Frazer's brief speech ended, we stepped out of the dormitory and into the cool mountain air. The mountain breeze tousled my hair, carrying the fresh scent of pine from the surrounding forest.

The path Frazer led us up was carved from ancient stone, worn smooth by the passage of countless years. It meandered through the dense forest, twisting and turning as if the trees had grown around it, guiding the way. The air was alive with the sounds of nature—birds flitted overhead, their songs echoing through the canopy, while smaller creatures rustled in the underbrush, their movements a whisper beneath the rustling leaves. 

As we continued along the winding path, I took a moment to scan the group of Class 1-A students. Aside from Noel and Natalia, my eyes landed on a familiar face. Argon stood at the back of the group, his posture stiff as usual, but what caught my attention was how deeply he was engrossed in conversation with two other boys. They were standing a little apart from the others, their heads close together as if sharing something private. 

I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease as I watched the scene unfold. The whole situation with Argon and his little group of companions just felt... off, though I pushed the thought to the back of my mind. Instead, I shifted my focus to the rest of the students around us.

As I scanned the crowd of students, I spotted two Shivari, their powerful figures standing out among the rest. In addition to their four muscular arms, they had a humanoid appearance, with facial features strikingly similar to humans, except for one key difference—they possessed three eyes, with the third positioned in the center of their forehead, giving them an almost regal look.

A group of three Veyrians also stood nearby, their dark-blue skin blending with the morning sky. Their pointed ears, reminiscent of Sylvan race, twitched at the slightest sound. Known for their high intelligence and sharp observance, they were a race that thrived on strategy and diplomacy, always analyzing their surroundings with an uncanny awareness.

Further off, I spotted a pair of Everforge Giants. They had to be at least eight feet tall, their broad, muscular frames imposing from a distance. Their skin had a bronze-like sheen, and their bright orange eyes burned with intensity as though they were constantly focused on something in the distance. Their sheer size and strength made them formidable, and I could only imagine the immense power they could wield.

Before I could take in more of the crowd, Frazer's voice rang out from the front of the group, pulling my attention back to the present. "Alright, everyone, we're here!"

As the path came to its end, it opened up into a breathtaking view—a large, open space on the side of the mountain cliff. At the edge of the cliff stretched an ancient wooden bridge, its weathered planks creaking slightly in the breeze as it arched over a massive chasm below. The bridge was imposing yet fragile-looking, as if centuries of torment had worn down the once magnificent bridge.

Class 1-A stood a grand and impressive structure on the other side of the bridge. The building seemed as if it had been constructed when strategic fortifications like this were paramount—its design was both commanding and functional, with thick stone walls and high towers that looked like they could withstand any attack. The entire structure sat atop a mountain peak across from where we stood, occupying an area that looked to be about an acre in size. The view from here was staggering, with jagged mountain ridges and deep valleys stretching out in all directions as if the school was positioned at the world's edge.

"I hope you're not afraid of heights," I said, glancing at Noel and Natalia with a slight grin.

Noel raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. "Heights don't bother me, but that bridge looks like it's seen better days."

Natalia, on the other hand, seemed less confident. She glanced at the swaying wooden planks with a faintly nervous expression. "I'm not afraid… exactly," she said slowly. "But I'd be lying if I said that thing didn't make me a little uneasy."

"It's just a bridge," I replied, trying to sound reassuring. "Old, sure, but it's probably sturdier than it looks."

"Probably?" Natalia shot back, her tone half-joking but still tinged with concern.

"Don't worry," Noel added with a smirk. "If it collapses, I'll catch you."

Natalia gave her a dry look but couldn't hide the small laugh that escaped. "Let's just hope it doesn't come to that."

We left Frazer behind since he wasn't allowed to cross the bridge. This area was specifically for class 1-A students, and the punishments were very severe if you tried to sneak in.

A few of the students nearest to the bridge hesitated, their uncertainty evident as they exchanged uneasy glances. The wooden planks creaked ominously under the light breeze, swaying slightly.

Then, a loud and condescending voice cut through the tense silence. "A bunch of wimps, the lot of you," Argon sneered, his tone dripping with disdain. "If this scares you, you won't like what's out there." He smirked arrogantly as he and the two other human boys with him strode forward, their steps deliberate as they began crossing the bridge without hesitation.

"Well, that's one way to motivate everyone," Noel muttered under her breath, earning a chuckle from Natalia.

As the rest of the group began to muster their courage, we followed after Argon, the planks beneath our feet groaning with each step.