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The world awaited! How could he not be excited?

His whole body alight with warmth. His heart rushing. Jubilation elating him, leaving him weightless. He threw his belongings into a trunk. Humming, all the while. So giddy, he thought butterflies swarmed his insides.

Oooooh immortals, he couldn't wait!

The silver-furred equine couldn't contain himself. He wanted to jump off the walls, charge up and down the hallways -- whooping for joy. Every few moments, he chuckled.

There was so much to learn! And not so long before he set out to learn it!

In piling everything he owned into the trunk, he caught sight of himself in a mirror. He paused and fiddled with his hair. A long, untame thing, braided partially in a long tail which rested on his shoulder -- running the length of his form with a series of ties to contain it. He grinned.

"You look fine, Stephric," he assured himself. His smile felt uneasy. Light. Like it could fall from his face at any moment.

He couldn't stop it from being there, though. Despite the swarm of flutter-flies in his belly, he still smiled.

Who wouldn't?

Another mirthful chuckle, and he continued piling his belongings into the trunk.

"Stephric," a woman's voice echoed into his room, "Did you remember underwear?"

"Yes, mom!" he called back.

"Are your robes clean? Did you pack a brush for your fur? How about a comb? Your hair is terribly unruly when uncombed!"

"Yes, mom!" he repeated. The equine opened his door, to see the smiling face of his mother. His own smile returned to his face. By now, his cheeks hurt a little. But he didn't care. Why should he, when such an opportunity lay before him on the road ahead?!

"I've got everything," he assured, "Relax. I know what I'm doing."

"I know," his mother huffed, and then took gentle hold of her son's face, "I know you do. You always do, sweetie. But I'm going to miss you."

"Aw, mom, c'mon," Stephric sheeped. "It's just gonna be a few leagues away. I'll come visit. I'll write every day. You know I'll miss home, too."

"Yes." His mother beamed. Her eyes were gleaming, with such joy. So much pride in them, that she even blushed.

"Your father and I... we're so proud." She nodded. "You know this means so much. And the prestige!" She giggled, unable to contain herself, "Just think. My son. My beloved, beautiful son. Accepted! At the universtrang!"

Stephric hugged his mother. He chuckled, once more. "Yeah, mom. It's..." he paused, trying to find the words, "It's..." He still couldn't find them.

She stroked her son's mane. "Yes, sweetie." Her face seemed incapable of any expression besides the smile which dominated it so. "It is."

He pulled back from the embrace, but kept his grip of her arms. "I'm going to miss everyone, mom. But I'll think of you, dad, and everybody -- every day."

"I know you will, sweetheart."

Stephric grinned. "I'm almost finished packing."

"Go get finished. I'll get breakfast done."

"What'cha making?"

She only smiled. "You'll have to finish packing to find out. Oh! And don't forget to wash."

"Haha, all right mom. I will."

...

Mirth retained, Stephric stood among so many others in the station. Railships still amazed him. He got giddy anytime one soared by, or stopped -- or, really, anything -- through the great stone station.

Built of marvelous arches and countless columns, the incredible railship port marked something important.

He'd never been beyond the grassy plains and rolling hills. Their beautiful sunsets, which bathed the whole known world in ombre rays of honey and gold. Would such sunsets also be seen in the universtrang?

Nervousness crept into his being. Ushering a wintery chill into his limbs.

He drew long breath through his nostrils. His stomach swelled. The air smelled of engine grease and people. He looked around. Others looked nervous, too. Also first-timers, he figured.

It reassured him, seeing those uncertain faces. It wasn't just him, then. Unsure, but anticipating such incredible days ahead.

What would the sages be like? Everybody spoke so reverently of them.

His thoughts were drowned out, by the roaring metal-on-metal scream of a slowing railship. His stomach leaped. It did turnabouts. And flips. The railship slowed into his section. Its engines hissed. And its doors opened at the behest of guards.

Their uniforms were incredible. They wore lamellar armor -- strips of overlapping leather -- atop white robes and red trousers. Tucked into their boots, the trousers seemed a little baggy. But the way they were tucked-in, Stephric thought they matched perfectly with the guards' vambraces.

He eyed the straight-bladed shortswords on their hips.

Someone called out: "Platform niiiine!" This was his. Stephric started forward. His first steps seemed heavy. Too heavy. But he strode on, finding each became lighter than the last.

His stomach became a pit. The butterflies still. He swallowed.

This is it. He thought. This is the beginning. This is where my journey starts.

He approached one of the guards. Uncertain. "Sir? Excuse me?"

"Hm?" the guard turned to him. His hand, always on the handle of his shortsword, never moved. "Lost, lad?"

"No, not really. This is the train to the universtrang, right?"

"Yep."

"Where do I bring my trunk? Do I just...?"

"Over there," the guard aided, gesturing with a gloved hand. He pointed the way, and Stephric's gaze followed.

"Ah!" He saw it, now. A place where everybody was loading students' trunks. "Thank you so much, sir."

"Mhm."

Stephric hurried over. Fear knotted into the pit of his stomach. Twisting it like rolled bread-dough. What if I'm too late? What if that's the limit? And because I didn't see it immediately, they won't accept me?

He tried to push the thoughts out, still striding the same direction.

A conductor spotted him.

He froze.

The conductor approached.

What if it was a mistake? And they don't know I'm supposed to be here? What will mom and dad say?

"Universtrang student?"

"Er... yes, sir. Stephric Tietelbum."

The conductor nodded. He didn't even pull out any list, or check anything, or demand some sort of badge. "You want to get that loaded up. The railship will leave as soon as everyone's luggage is on board."

"Oh, don't worry -- by the way," the conductor continued, "You'll get your stuff back, of course. It'll be delivered to your dormitory. As long as it's labeled."

Stephric nodded, but for good measure looked at his trunk anyway. He spotted his name on it. And then felt a bit less out of place. Warmth rolled across his back and chased away much of the fear. This was the right place. And this dream, this acceptance into the universtrang, just as real.

"Thank you, sir,"

The conductor smiled and nodded. "You just give me the trunk, and then get yourself onboard."

Stephric relinquished his trolley, and after another expression of his appreciation, he went towards the railship. Unsure of which door maybe he was meant to take, he boarded it, and then found himself a seat.

The oblong cabins of metal-and-wood weren't so disorienting. And now that he was aboard, he felt his place solidified. Just the task of finding a seat, left.

In no time, he found one.

Sitting alone, in an empty compartment, Stephric wondered what lay ahead. Would he find friends? Would he find foes? Would the univestrang turn out to be all which he anticipated of it?

He didn't know.

He didn't have those answers.

But, he knew, one thing for certain.

This was the beginning, of a journey he'd never forget.