I left that awful gathering behind and made my way to the digital board displaying dormitory assignments and class placements. My name was listed under Class 1-E—the lowest-ranked class in the school. I wasn't surprised. My grades were average across the board, and this placement reflected that.
What did surprise me, though, was seeing Maeve in the same class. How could she be here? And then, another shock—Sansula. I didn't even know he had enrolled in this school.
Before I could dwell on it further, Maeve's voice cut through the tension.
"Did you kill Zipporah?" she asked Maria directly, her tone edged with suspicion. "I've always had my doubts. She opposed you at every turn."
Maria's expression didn't change. "You have no proof," she replied smoothly.
"Would you kill us too?" Benesha asked, her voice sharp.
Maria shook her head. "No. I just want you all to feel the same pain I feel. And to accept me."
Minah sneered. "You're insane, Lilith. A complete sociopath. You disgust me. Don't ever approach us again."
With that, Maeve, Benesha, and Minah turned and left, abandoning Maria to her madness.
Haniya, however, didn't move. Instead, she pulled out her phone and made a call. "Assalamu alaikum, Papa," she said, her voice wavering. "I have something to confess. If you search for the musician 'Asaliy' or 'Ashley' online... that's me. No, not the Prototype. The real me." She took a deep breath. "And... I've had relations with a man. Yes, those kinds of relations. I'm sorry, Papa. I'm sorry for disappointing you. It's because of my Sin of Lust... but I want to repent. I'll try my best to reform. Please don't lose faith in me. Pray for me."
With that, she tore off her headscarf and threw it at Maria's feet.
"Faith isn't something external," she said coldly. "It's an internal affair—one that manifests outwardly through actions. If someone sees faith as merely an appearance, they might not have any real faith at all. Because appearances... can be deceiving."
Maria raised an eyebrow. "What are you getting at?"
Haniya exhaled. "I deceived my family. They thought I was a devout woman, when in truth, I wasn't. They never knew about my music career, never knew about my lust for Sansula. They saw only what I let them see. But you—" she smirked bitterly, "you opened my eyes to this. So, I should thank you, Maria. Because of you, I've realized something: We should be virtuous for the sake of God—not for the approval of our families."
Maria let out a dry chuckle. "You're tougher than you look, Luxuria."
Without another word, Haniya turned and left, walking away with Eliza. Now, only Kayla remained at Maria's side.
The six of us gathered in front of the digital board, scanning our placements.
Benesha turned to Maeve, smirking. "So, you're in the lowest-ranked class with Mandane, huh?"
Maeve stiffened. "That can't be..." she whispered, refusing to accept it.
Benesha didn't let up. "In that case, I officially denounce you as the leader of our sisterhood. It makes no sense for us to follow the weakest among us."
Maeve's eyes darkened. "You're only one rank above me, Benesha. Don't get cocky."
Benesha just shrugged.
Meanwhile, Eliza groaned. "I don't want to share a class with Kayla."
"Haniya is in Class 1-B," Minah observed. "And I'm in Class 1-A, with Lilith." She smirked. "Since I have the highest rank among us, it only makes sense that I take leadership from now on."
"I object!" Maeve protested.
Minah laughed. "You're the lowest-ranked sister. Have some dignity and step down."
Maeve clenched her fists. "But my lab stats are higher than any of yours."
I sighed. "Maeve, we're not in the lab anymore. Why should we judge ourselves by laboratory metrics when we're in an academic environment now?"
She opened her mouth to argue, but then stopped. She knew I had a point.
Haniya suddenly furrowed her brows. "I'm surprised that someone like Sansula is in Class 1-E."
Benesha crossed her arms. "There has to be a reason. And it's not about his competence, abilities, or potential."
"Then what is it?" I asked.
She shook her head. "I don't know..."
Maeve scoffed. "Maybe he was demoted because of his incompetent Class D older sister."
Benesha turned sharply, eyes blazing. "Repeat that."
Maeve smirked. "I never repeat myself, Ira."
At that moment, Maria approached the board with Kayla by her side. She glanced at the names and smirked. "Looks like Maurits is in my class, Maeve."
Maeve sighed. "What are you scheming now?"
Maria gave a wicked grin. "Oh, nothing. I just find it funny—you ended up with Sansula in your class, while I get to be with Maurits."
Maeve narrowed her eyes. "Forget it."
And with that, we all turned away, heading toward our assigned dormitory rooms—our new battlefields.