We are led inside through the main entrance.
Large oak doors are opened and I wonder if they were closed tonight, since they seem impossible to move.
The floors are shiny and I think they are made of real marble.
The light in the hallway comes through large stained glass windows.
Some depict old school principals, others famous historic scenes or wars.
All of them are decorated with curtains that wait patiently at the side.
But they don't have to close for me to see how beautiful and precious they are.
The pillars that are incorporated into the wall after every two windows are lacquered chestnut wood.
The hallway opens into a large lobby.
"The heart of the university", I think to myself.
In the middle, a staircase spirals upwards, a thin layer of gold on its railings.
When I look up I count seven floors.
This is the tallest building I've ever been in.
The roof above the hall consists mainly of glass, so that the hall is flooded with daylight.
From my point all floors seem the same.
Enclosed with gold coloured railings that moves gracefully along the edges of the floors.
Seemingly unaware it is there to prevent people from falling down instead of being there to impress and show off the university's wealth.
I don't allow myself anymore time to look around me and walk to the exam hall where I'm expected.
I'm sure they chose this route because even if you don't get in, you'll be able to see the opulence and beauty that the school is so eager to show off.
I pass the first exam with ease. I am almost surprised at how simple the questions are.
The second and third I don't find to challenging either, although I can find myself better in the level of the questions.
When I've done all the exams, I plan to go straight back to my hostel.
But when I walk through the main hall I see a girl waving enthusiastically at me from the main staircase.
I look behind me and expect to see the person she's waving at but the hall is empty.
When I look at her she says 'yes, you!'.
I have my doubt's but walk up to her anyway.
She's only four steps up but she raises and walks down when I'm almost there.
She holds out her hand, with graceful piano fingers, to me.
I shake her hand. It's a pretty sight I think, two right hands with piano fingers.
She smiles her white teeth bare, 'Victoria, it's an honor to meet you.' The little bow she makes seems almost sarcastic.
'Mara.' I answer, unsure of the mischievous tone in her voice.
'Zo how did it go?' She looks at me expectantly.
Without shame I answer 'flawless'. If you are gonna ask so bold, I will answer boldly too.
She nods, 'it wasn't too bad, I think I got into the university.'
I smile at her 'congratulations'.
I have never talked to a human being so casually about something so big.
My father would have already slapped me for my pride.
But I thought I recognized something in her and the naughtiness in her voice when she introduced herself gave me the confidence to speak honestly to her.
The expectation in her eyes was not about how things were going or how I felt, but about how I would answer her. And I knew it.
'What about you?'
An idea plays on her face and it piques my curiosity.
'I will get accepted too' I answer.
'Dam we should celebrate! come.' She grabs my hand and starts running with me behind her.
Laughing, I tell her to stop, that it's inappropriate if we run, that people will see us.
But only when we are almost at the swung open front doors does she stop.
'I was disappointed with the turnout,' she says, a bit out of breath.
I nod 'yes I estimated that there were only one hundred and fifty women in the exam hall. And then not all of them will even be allowed in.'
My eyes glow when I realise I haven't even asked her the most exciting question yet.
'What did you take the entrance exam for?'.
'History,' she still sounds a little breathless.
'You?' 'Biology', I say and grin, 'then we're not far from each other.'
She's still holding my hand, 'Why aren't you out of breath at all?'
I give her a look which I don't even know what it means and follow her through the gardens of the university.
'I know a nice place to celebrate our admission,' she says, 'and then I'll show you all the places you need to about Stucity.'
'Stucity'? I ask.
'The student city, the city behind the university gates, you know.'
I nod.
'My brother also studies here, he has taken me a few times, that's why I know my way around here.'
Something in her voice tells me not to feel stupid for not being accustomed jet with everything here.
We first go to a little pub, Victoria orders two red wines, and to my surprise, she also gets them.
We sit down at a table in the back and chat some more.
I drink the wine with a poker face.
And at a fast pace because I definitely don't like the taste, despite my high expectations.
'You seem thirsty, did your parents allow you to drink?'
I shake my head.
'This is the first time ever I had wine.'
She looks at me in disbelief for a moment and then bursts out laughing. It is a disarming laugh. It makes me feel completely relaxed for the first time since I left Highland three days ago.
'We're going to change that next year Mara, I'm sure of that.'
Something in me wakes up when she says my name.
I've never had a friend, not a human one anyway.
I had my sisters, of course, but I saw them as that. Sisters not girlfriends.
Though I did love them a lot.
When Victoria finished her wine too she takes me to see the city.
At the end of the day when I have to go back to my hostel we promise to meet again before the first school day.
We will meet at the copper statue with a fat round belly called mr. Gelderingen.