Raiz opened his book and began contributing with genuine focus.
When it was time for the presentation, Raiz, appointed as moderator, hesitated again. He scratched his head and glanced at Aisha. "What's a good opening line?" he asked softly.
Aisha inhaled deeply, stood, and faced the class with calm, measured confidence. Her voice carried clearly, each word deliberate as she spoke the phrases provided by the system.
"May peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you all."
Raiz responded without hesitation, a warm smile spreading across his face. "And may peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah also be upon you."
A hush settled over the room, the quiet almost tangible. Aisha paused just for a moment, reminding herself that it was the correct response. So why does my heart react like this? she wondered, gently pushing the feeling aside.
The presentation continued smoothly, guided by Aisha's calm composure and newfound confidence, now feeling entirely natural and well-earned.
After school, Aisha stepped into the pesantren kitchen, the air thick with the scent of turmeric, garlic, and simmering broths. She was assigned to cook alongside Sisi, a cheerful middle-aged staff member who had been managing the students' meal preparations for years.
At first, Aisha felt completely out of place. The heat from the stoves pressed against her cheeks, and the clatter of metal pots and pans echoed through the room. She flinched at a sudden hiss of oil from a frying pan. Sisi, noticing her hesitation, gave a warm, reassuring smile.
"Ruqayyah, please grab that pot," Sisi said, her voice carrying the kind of ease that only comes from years of experience.
Aisha stiffened. She leaned forward slightly, her fingers twitching nervously, and whispered to the system, "System… what exactly is a pot?"
"A pot is…" the system began, but abruptly fell silent, leaving Aisha blinking in confusion, her eyebrows knitting together.
"Why are you silent?" she asked, frowning, glancing around as if expecting someone to answer.
"The explanation isn't important, Master," the system finally replied. "Just look for it. The pot you need is under the table, stacked beneath the large bowls. It's silver."
Aisha's eyes scanned the table legs, her hands trembling slightly as she ducked to peer beneath the stacked bowls. She breathed a sigh of relief when her fingers closed around the smooth, cold metal of the pot. Carefully, she lifted it and handed it to Sisi, who nodded with a satisfied hum before returning to tend the fish sizzling in the pan.
A few minutes later, Sisi's voice rang out again, sharper this time:
"Ruqayyah, watch the fish—don't let it burn!"
Aisha tightened her grip on the spatula, the metal handle warming against her palm. She stood rigidly, eyes fixed on the golden fish dancing in the hot oil. Yet, as the sizzling echoed in her ears, her thoughts drifted, and images of Ruqayyah surfaced. She imagined her nights in the dormitory—sitting alone under the soft glow of a lamp, turning pages quietly. Alone, yes—but never lonely.
Ruqayyah didn't have many friends, but Bela and Nisa were constant companions. The rest? They mocked, avoided, or treated her poorly. Ruqayyah chose to ignore them—not from weakness, but because engaging them was pointless. She was quiet, but far from passive. Aisha felt the weight of that silent endurance pressing down, heavy yet steadfast.
Then, a sharp voice cut through the air:
"Sis, you wash the dishes now!"
Aisha's hands froze mid-flip, spatula hovering over the sizzling fish.
Just arrived and already bossing me around… little lizard, she thought, a rogue smirk threatening to escape. Fara's eyes widened in surprise, her command caught in the moment.
Master, be patient. Your team's affinity is dropping. Losing control now will negatively affect your future, the system warned, a subtle vibration in her mind.
But Aisha's patience snapped like a taut string. She had never been treated this way back in her palace, and the ache of missing her family sharpened her temper.
She drew a long breath, stepping toward Fara, her boots scraping softly against the kitchen tiles. Her voice came out flat, steady, yet carrying an unshakable authority:
"Ordering me around, huh? Why don't you do the dishes yourself? Can't you see I'm cooking?"
Fara stumbled back slightly, her hands twitching nervously. Aisha's gaze pinned her, calm but commanding:
"This isn't your kitchen. It's not your right. I am the leader of this team now. Be quiet! And don't pretend to command a leader."
Fara's face paled, and she froze mid-step. The rest of the team paused too, their utensils suspended in the air, sensing the quiet dominance radiating from Aisha in Ruqayyah's body. With a meek bow of her head, Fara retreated, leaving without another word.
Aisha watched her go, letting the spatula hover for a heartbeat longer, ensuring the message had landed. She returned to flipping the fish, the sizzling now a soothing rhythm under her focus. Her heart still raced, but a calm satisfaction began to settle in. Being polite alone wasn't always enough—sometimes firmness, clear and unyielding, was necessary, especially with someone like Fara.
She turned the fish once more, a faint smile tugging at her lips. She was beginning to understand Ruqayyah—not just her quietness or reserve, but the strength, resilience, and unwavering determination she carried through every day, despite constant tests. And now, Aisha felt a true connection—not just through the same body, but through a spirit of steel.
Then the system spoke, its tone cutting through the sizzle of the pan:
Master. You have a mission.
Aisha turned, curiosity sparking in her eyes.
Mission: raise the affinity points of your team members.
The system displayed the details before her:
Fara – Member – Hostility Level: 99 – Appearance: ordinary
Shinta – Member – Dislike Level: 90
Without hesitation, Aisha popped a piece of candy into her mouth and replied, nonchalant, "Why should I bother fixing my relationship with them?"
Master… you want to return to your world, right? the system said firmly.
Aisha froze, candy suspended mid-chew. "Huh… why didn't you say that earlier? Fine. Tell me the mission. I'll do it—then send me back. I'm tired of this world."
Very well. There are seven gates you must open to return, the system continued.
"Gates?" Aisha raised a brow, intrigued.
"Yes, but it won't be easy. Your first mission is to raise your team members' affinity points. The reward: one gate unlocked."
Aisha swallowed, straightened her posture, and said with calm determination, "Alright. Let's get started."