Divine Heritage: Only I Can Judge The gods-Chapter 37: The Race Against Time

Kiera sat in one of the two buses that would be transporting the students to the examination site.

She rested her face on her hand, an indifferent expression on her face as she stared out the window.

The streets were still dark, so dark that you would need a torch to go out by this time. The gentle hum of the bus’ engine was the only sound that could be heard on the lonesome street.

Many people on the bus were still sleepy, yawning every now and then, while some had gone as far as reclining their seats to continue from where they stopped.

It was to be expected when you gathered people to go on a journey by 4 am, from what Kiera heard, they were moving this early because the venue was in a very distant region.

Thankfully, the rain seemed to have ceased, so there was a chance they would have pleasant weather today.

If it didn’t end up just being cloudy.

"Hi, is this seat free?"

Kiera sighed as she turned to stare at the girl who had asked the question.

Her gaze was far from friendly and yet unlike others, the girl didn’t flinch. She just stood there, waiting for an answer.

The girl had wild orange hair, an unfocused gaze and emerald green eyes.

For a second Kiera considered chasing her away, there were far too many ways she could do so.

But Ark hadn’t arrived yet and the bus was about to move.

’He is probably on the other bus...’

Kiera was slightly disappointed about having to spend the journey with a stranger but she didn’t own the bus.

"Sure."

"Thank you."

The girl reached for the handle of the chair, feeling around it before gently sitting down.

It was then Kiera finally realized why the girl seemed so off...

She was blind.

A blind Curse bearer...

She gave the girl a sidelong glance before returning her attention to the window.

After the driver was satisfied with the now warmed engine, the bus pulled into the road and their journey to the exam center began.

***

’Did they really think this can stop me?’

Golden sparks surrounded Ark as his axe appeared in his hands, he lifted it high up into the air, ready to cleave through the lock only to stop halfway.

Somehow, something felt wrong.

Whoever did this would have known that he could easily break through the door...

They would have set up contingencies at least to make sure he didn’t make it to the exam.

That was when it finally hit him.

Ark ran over to his window and swung his axe, smashing the fragile frame open. The aluminum rails caved outwards and glass shattered in all directions.

He then peered down the building, he was on the fourth floor, and a very nasty drop was awaiting him.

Yet, this was the fastest way to get down.

And so he jumped, but not without digging his axe to the side of the wall.

The wall scratched, as the axe tore through the cement, slowing his fall until he finally rocked against the ground hard, falling into a roll.

Ark immediately rose to his feet and stared around.

There was no one in sight, it was around the time they were meant to be boarding the bus and yet he was the only one here.

’They’ve left.’

"Damn it!" Ark yelled in frustration.

He had been intentionally given the wrong time to make sure he was late, by a staff member no less. What happened to their no discrimination policy?!

They needed to set out this early because of how far the exam site was, it would take more than five hours to get there while driving.

It was impossible to get there on foot.

Ark doubted that there was any direct bus he could take to the site, plus he didn’t even know where the exam was being held.

As he paced around trying to figure out a solution, someone ran out of the entrance of the building, staring down at the glass and then at Ark.

Her eyes widened slightly.

"Why are you still here?"

It took a second but Ark finally realized who she was, she was the woman who had been a little friendly with him when he first arrived, the one who showed him to his room.

Her expression darkened when the dots connected in her head, the broken glass and Ark’s agitated expression...

"Come with me."

Ark did not hesitate, he practically ran after the woman who led him to another side of the center he had never been to.

The car park.

The sun was slowly beginning to peak out over the horizon, brightening up the world as the two of them entered the park.

She walked past many of the fancy cars that were there and walked up to an older model, a classic looking car.

She then pulled out her keys.

"Can you drive?"

"No."

Ark had rarely even entered a car, talk less of driving one.

"No problem, it’s probably best if I drive."

She then plunged the key into the keyhole and unlocked the car.

"Hop in."

He didn’t have to be told twice, Ark rushed to the other side of the door and was about to enter when the woman stopped him.

She pointed at the Axe.

"You’ll ruin the leather."

"Sorry."

He gave the axe one last glance before dismissing it and hurrying into the car.

Shortly after, the engine roared to life and the woman pulled the vehicle into the street, stepping on the gas with so much vigour that the engine screamed like a cat from hell.

The buildings blazed past them as the car accelerated with each passing second.

"The exam location is far from where we are, but that was not the only reason they moved so early."

"Traffic?"

The woman nodded just as she veered the car to the left.

"Exactly, the bus moved by 4 am meaning the road was relatively free for the most part. But because of the cars we are going to encounter, the time difference might end up being 3 hours."

"If we are fast, we might just make it in time." She finished.

She looked over from the road briefly to stare at Ark.

"Your seat bet..."

"What?"

"Put on your seat belt."

"Oh..." Ark stared at the belt and then mimicking the woman’s earlier action, he locked himself in.

Ark returned his attention back to her. Most people regarded him with either hate or a certain degree of wariness and yet, here she was going out of her way to help him...

He was definitely in no position to refuse help but it did make him wonder why she would go so far just to aid him.

"Why are you helping me?"

It was a stupid question really because Ark had realized from the moment he set his eyes on her, it was just hard to accept it.

"I was from the slums, we slum dwellers have to keep an eye out for each other right?"

’"Was" huh...’

It was on very rare occasions that you could meet someone who had made it out of the slums.

"I guess we do..."

Ark faced the road ahead, with one thought on his mind.

’I’m coming.’

It didn’t matter how much they tried to oppress him, he would overcome each and every single time.