University Path - Short Fantasy Story (Part 3)

I think that was the weirdest conversation I ever had. When he first demanded to see me, the owner was left stunned by the look on his face as that scholar walked toward me. Now that I saw him up close he really acted as a scholar and someone who has the knowledge and skills and is very aware of it. It was evident in his gait, his gaze. Everything was accurately weighed and precise, every gesture or facial mimicry. He had long hair tied into a ponytail by some ribbon with embroidered runes. The coat was of some dark green color butchered to the neck and spotlessly clean. He had a face from which nothing could be read. A handful of tattoos were visible on his hands and neck, which everyone says that those who graduate from the University own. Everything seemed unreal to me, I didn't even have a faint idea why he would want to talk to me. The strangest feeling in the world, I was so close to someone who had all the information I wanted and at the same time had nothing to ask. I stood there buried, waiting.

''Hi boy, I'm Riles, a Professor of metallurgy at the University. What's your name?'' He said it in a straightforward way, without any accent.

It took me more than a moment to get the word out. He was a pretty imposing figure. He was everything I wanted.

''My name is Tedris, sir ... professor.'' I said excitedly and sounded like a 12-year-old boy.

''Good Tedris, no need to be nervous, I just wanted to talk. Your boss says you showed interest in some books and read them all the time?'' His words had an immediate soothing effect on me. I can talk about books at any time, and this is the only segment of my life that does not cause me discomfort.

''Yes sir. Um, I used to listen to as a kid stories about the University, so I decided ... I was collecting torn pages, tossed books and constantly reading. I always wanted a piece of that knowledge. That's why I decided to look for a full-time job here so I could read.''

'' This is one praiseworthy feature, Tedris. You will do well later in life because of that. The boss says you're an orphan. Usually I should talk to my parents, but it seems like you and I are alone in this. I would have a few questions for you. Do you want to talk here, or somewhere else?''

'' Right here tally fine for me. What would you like to know? '' I said, and the excitement was growing inside me. A professor from the University wants us to talk. It was the beginning of a dream, or at least a fraction of it.

It was more than a few questions, more precisely hundreds. It seems to me that two days have passed. He asked me questions in every area I had ever mentioned that I had read. All I knew, I told him. And I felt great, I wasn't tired quite the opposite. I was flown and happy.

'' I have three more questions for you, but I need answers immediately. Do you know where the knowledge comes from? Do you know how much knowledge is large? How much do you want to gain knowledge? '' He said in a slightly excited voice.

I paused, did not expect such questions. I didn't know what to think, I was sure that my knowledge couldn't help me answer this question exactly, so I decided to answer it from the heart.

'' Knowledge comes from matter and is as big as the universe, and my desire is even greater. '' I said it and fell silent. He stood up, still no emotion could be read on his face, and then he walked to the boss, who was doing his chores at the counter. They spoke quietly, and then the Professor took a bag of money from the inside of his coat and placed it on the counter. After that he came back to me.

'' I'm waiting at six o'clock tomorrow morning at the west gate. Let's go to the University ''. He turned on his heel and walked out.

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