Thousands of thoughts went through my head. The whirlwind of possibility, and of what awaits me, was messing with what I was suffering in my life. I know that after the Professor left I spoke to the boss, but I do not remember a single word spoken. The next scene I was aware of was sitting in my house, in front of me were torn pages from books, and some little shirts and pants I owned. I packed it all in an old dad's travel bag and waited. Far from the city came the sound of a bell from the tower located in the central square. It was midnight. Even though I was tired of working all day, the speed at which my brain was working did not allow me to even think about sleeping even though I knew that I need rest, there is a long way to travel. The stories that people told when they mentioned the location of the University said that there were at least seven days of riding, or more than twenty days of walking, from our city to there. But I was ready, and more than I thought. I had thousands, hundreds of thousands of questions for the Professor. Why me? Am I admitted to the University or do I need to take some test? Or something else? Everything I once dreamed of is now within my reach. Will I be up to the task? How did I deserve their attention? Yes, and many more questions. But I had no choice but to wait, I'm sure I'll get all the basic information I needed from the Professor. So I sat, waited and said goodbye to my past. Say goodbye to the house I spent my childhood in, the only place that keeps me connected to this city. Although I was not sure when I would be able to return again, everything I owned was left behind. I felt a slight fear of leaving the only place I knew.
Dawn came and I immediately headed for the west gate. How one professor from the University travels the world. He must not have come on foot. The day promised another warm autumn day and the first rays of the sun bathed the rooftops and houses of our city with their warmth. Shortly after my arrival, a carriage came from the direction of the central town square. She stopped at the gate and the Professor stepped out of it. It was very unusual, at least for our occasions. In the city, all the carriages were owned by the nobility houses, decorated with their sigils. This one was black, of some unknown wood and unmarked.
''Good morning Tedris, I see you are up early. I know you haven't slept or eaten all night. Come on, let's get on the road. I see many unanswered questions in your eyes.'' He said in a cheerful voice, and with wonder, with a slight smile on his lips.
As I climbed into the carriage, for the first time in my life, I wished him good morning and sat down. The professor settled into a seat across from me and offered me hot pies with meat. I ate in silence as we traveled the cobbled road leading out of town. After I finished eating, I immediately wanted to talk, but it seemed that Professor had lost his mind in thinking, glanced out the window at the surrounding landscape. I decided not to bother him for now. I waited for his attention to be directed to me again.
Sometime after noon, I decided to speak up. ''Professor, why me? Am I now admitted to the University?''
''Tedris, yes, you're accepted. I'll be your mentor. The official school year does not exist, knowledge is simply taught and acquired every day at the University. It's not like any school you may have heard about. In recent years, we have received almost no one. I learned about you from your boss, so I decided to ask around a little. And finally I talked to you. All you answers yesterday was enough to make me think I wanted to teach you. The only thing you need to know instantly is that the secrets you will find out there must never be told. You'll see, it's the right place for you, I'm sure. Don't be afraid, everything will come naturally. Excuse me now, I have something to finish.'' Then he pulled out a stack of papers under the bench and began to write on blank pages carefully. And I waited. Waiting for my dream. I was as excited as when, as a kid, for every holiday, I knew my dad would buy sweets from street vendors.
