A/N: Uhm, hi? It's been a while? Haha. As promised, I haven't given up this fic yet. Here is the second part of the play. This takes a bit of a serious turn, but we'll get to the last part sooner or later. More patients, guys.

CHAPTER 5

"Did Shiota-kun volunteer to take the Wizard role, Koro-Sensei?" Principal Asano lowly murmured, moving his head closer to Koro-Sensei's to keep his voice to themselves.

"Yes, Principal. He was so eager to take the role and he portrayed it perfectly, I've watched them rehearse every day."

"I can see that, his eyes were giving off slaughter."

"Thank you, sir," Koro-Sensei pressed his tentacles together and tipped his head to a side.

Ritsu's voice was back.

[Unbeknownst to the entire village, a young wizard was secretly residing in the heart of the forest. He was proficient in Dark Magic and he had been planning to conquer the country. However, his abilities have yet to mature for he had to meet a condition to activate his power into full capacity.]

Lights came back to life. The forestry background was replaced with the dark interior of a castle, lit candles scattered around, and a lone throne was in the middle of the stage. On it sat the Princess, head leaning to a side with her hands both chained on its armrests. She was unconscious.

A groan escaped her lips as she stirred awake.

"Where... am I?" She grumbled, eyes blinking as she took in her situation.

"Good morning, Your Highness. How was your sleep?" A voice responded, then Nagisa— Maou-sama appeared back on the stage.

"Oh, if it isn't the midget wizard," Ohime-sama drawled drowsily, offering the wizard a shit-eating grin. "'Morning. My neck's stiff thanks to this taut throne. Don't you have any cushion here or something?"

"That's all I have right now, be thankful I didn't lay you on the floor. Moving on, welcome to my humble abode, Ohime-sama. I don't have much but please feel at home."

"I can see it, really. Not even a frigging florescent light is on. So, what do you want from me, Sis?"

"Straight to the point aren't we, my princess? Alright, let's get down to business. Your Highness— will you marry me?"

Silence. Sounds of crickets came from the speakers.

It was followed by Karma's loud, sardonic laughter.

"For god's sake. Why am I always being forced to hook up with random strangers? Damn it, give me a break."

"Believe me, I don't want this either. But in order to completely unleash my Dark Magic, I need to be married to a Royal Blood."

Karma scoffed. "I see, so that's how it goes, huh. Alright, here's my answer, then: I REFUSE."

The wizard laughed. "I've figured that much, Ohime-sama. Too bad we would be still getting married whether you like it or not on a week's time, exactly on your eighteenth birthday."

"... You go and die, but I will never want to marry you!"

"Who said I need your consent to proceed to the ceremony, Princess? All I need is your blood— once we have made a blood pact and become as one, we will be all done with it."

"What the—" Ohime-sama abruptly paused midway, angry face relaxed into a blank expression. Spot lights flickered and a sound of thunder growled. Slowly, her whole body slumped, head falling to a side, eyes half opened and seemingly empty.

"What a nasty nuisance you are, little brat. I could not afford to let you loose so you better go to sleep until the wedding ceremony. Majou-sama," the wizard let his eyes linger about the semi-conscious princess.

With a mention of a new character's name, a figure glided towards the stage.

Cloaked in a black cape and pointed witch hat, Kaede Kayano— Majou-sama, entered the scene. Her face was half obscured from sight with the hat's shadow. She bowed her head.

"Yes, Maou-sama— or should I say Ou-sama?" Majou-sama cooed, straightening up.

"Not just yet, Majou-sama. We could not be assured of that by now— that is why I want to make sure of it. I want you to watch over the castle and forest: I can tell that the King would soon find out who took the princess. They will be sending reinforcement to save her. And ah, inform him that some visitors are paying us a visit— let us give them the warmest welcome there is."

"Certainly, Maou-sama," the witch bowed again, flung her cloak and swiftly retreated back to the dark corner of the stage where she came from.

"Well, I guess I have to head back to my chamber; preparations are ought to be done for our big day. I shall take my leave then, Your Highness," the wizard bid but as Maou-sama spun to his heel and walk away, he heard a voice from behind.

"Y-You..." it was a low, barely audible murmur. The wizard turned around and watched as the supposedly dazed princess' face twitched into an attempted smirk. Her eyes glinted in confidence. "You... won't succeed..."

The wizard hid his surprise and displease with how the princess resisted the spell he inflicted on her. "What made you sure?"

"You... are not going to... reign over the kingdom— because I will," she hissed. "Someone will come and save me... and once— once that happens, I swear to kick your ass myself. Mark my word. I will be the next queen." Ohime-sama was looking in pain and about to give in to the spell, but made sure to get her message across.

Before the darkness pulled her back, she heard the wizard said, "I am looking forward to that, my princess. Good night."

Karma's eyes closed, and Nagisa marched away from the fading spotlights. There came another fade out with a brief sound of a piano piece playing.

Koro-Sensei snapped some good pictures and happily skimmed over them. "Oh, the next scene is where your son is going to appear, right?" He asked Principal Asano.

"Yes, Koro-Sensei."

"He must be a good actor as well. Isogai-kun told me that he was smooth during the rehearsal. He has handled the final rehearsal yesterday very nice; guiding his schoolmates and leading them alright despite the lack of given time."

"Asano-kun has been honed to best in any sort of circumstances; if anything, Class-E's representatives are the impressive ones to keep up with Class-A's pace."

"Eh, thank you so much. I think we just happened to have a very good actor in class to coach the others."

"Kaede Kayano-san, I guess?"

"Yes, sir."

The lights were glowing again.

"... I'm looking forward to see more of her, then," Principal Asano entwined his fingers with his eyes back on the stage.

The kingdom castle's main hall background was on again, along with the makeshift throne and the King was sitting on it. He seemed troubled.

The Queen then stormed her way to the King, face etched with worry.

"Anata," Ojou-sama seemed to be on the verge of breaking down. "The maids and guards have searched the entire castle, and still none has found the princess."

"I already had the rest of our soldiers comb the village. Let's wait for their report. I hope they are now escorting her back from the Arcade House," the King breathed in, trying to calm down.

Seconds later, a new character stepped into the stage: clad in an armor with a binocular stuck on his waist was Class-A's Teppei Araki playing as 'Kyou-sama,' the kingdom's navigator.

"Kyou the Navigator, Your Highness," he raised an arm and placed it across his chest then bowed before the King. "We have skirted the whole village in search for the princess. Everything... is clear. Ohime-sama is officially missing."

"Kami-sama," the Queen's knees buckled and she almost fell on her feet with her hands clasped in a prayer when the King darted and caught her in his arms. She silently cried. "Our... our princess. Where could she possibly go?"

"Please calm down, Oujo-sama. This is not the time to be weak. We have to put ourselves together," the King said, though he looked as if he was about to weep, too.

"I'm sorry, but I can't help but worry so much. What if someone kidnapped her? Ohime-sama must be mischievous at times but she never made us worry this much. And if she indeed ran away, she would have at least leave a letter or something. I can't stop worrying, anata. I know our daughter... I can tell, as her mother, that she is in danger."

"Mother's instinct..." the King turned to the Navigator and commanded. "Kyou-san, please summon the head knight."

"There would be no need for that, Your Highness," the audience broke into loud cheers and squeals when the main protagonist and the campus' number one Ace entered the stage, walking straight and looking ahead. Armored and standing stoutly with violet eyes gleaming with pride and glory, Student Council President Gakushuu Asano was no doubt a spitting image of his father; from the looks and brains, down to aura and charm. Koro-Sensei could feel something different from him though, a thin line of contrast from his dad, barely visible and wouldn't be seen unless one looked closer. Koro-Sensei knew it; unlike his father and most of the students from Class A to D, Asano Jr. harbored a small sense of respect towards Class E, and adamantly opposed his father's educational methodology.

He crossed an arm over his chest and bowed, so did the other Class A rep he had with him: Seo Tomoya, playing as the knight's right hand, 'Shinji-sama.'

"Your Highness," the Knight straightened up. "We have found the lead to where the princess has been taken.

"A suspicious looking man was seen by a citizen, lurking around the woods and was carrying an unconscious girl using magic. His descriptions match the dress Ohime-sama donned. They disappeared in the curse forest."

"The rumoured Dark Wizard?" The King hissed. "What does he want from my daughter?"

It was Seo Shinji-sama's turn to explain. "There is a so-called tradition in witchcraft in ancient time that a noble's blood— Royal's blood so to speak, could greatly improve a wizard's magical abilities and grant him power to invade a nation. The ceremony includes a blood pact and the noble has to be eighteen years old."

"Damn it!" The King cursed. "The mere thought of him touching my princess, let alone wounding her for her precious blood is making my own blood boil!

"This is a command. Go to the forest and search for Ohime-sama. Take as much soldiers as you need. Bring her back alive no matter what it takes."

The three guards all dipped their heads. The head knight mumbled, "I will bring the princess back even if it cost me my life," then they left in haste.

"Ou-sama," the Queen muttered under her breath, voice shaking and broken. "What if something happened to Ohime-sama? What if she was hurt? What if she will not be found?"

"Please, my love. We have to get ourselves together. Let's have faith in them. I am sure Ohime-sama will come home," the King reached for her hand and squeezed it reassuringly. He wrapped an arm around her, and the spotlight then slowly ebbed away.

[And so the knight and the hundred soldiers of the kingdom set off to the cursed forest's heart. The journey was not easy, and not all of the soldiers made it. For repeated times the forest seemed to change magically to mislead them. Magical beasts charged their way; gnawing claws and fangs from presumably modified wild animals. A lot of them received fatal wounds, while the other lost their track in the winding maze of exit-less woods.

It had taken them six days to explore the forest and reach its innermost part, with only the three of the mightiest men remaining: Kyou-sama the Navigator, Shinji-sama the head knight's trusted right hand, and the head knight himself, Yuu-sama.]

The lights came back to life, with the digital background changed into the dark woods with the waning full moon. Class 3-A's knights walked into the stage, shoulders slumped with exhaustion but eyes wary of their surroundings.

"We made it; this is where the magical barrier of the hidden village lies," Asano Yuu-sama announced. They stopped in the middle of the stage.

"But how do we get past the barrier? What if we get trapped in yet another magical maze of no return?" Seo Shinji-sama chipped in, eyeing the patches of the woods in search for the entrance.

"There must be something like a mark or a weak point of the barrier that we can destroy to get in. Let's search for that mark first," Araki Kyou-sama placed a thumb under his chin, eyes lingered about the vicinity.

"Don't you find that one big tree strange?" Asano Yuu-sama pointed at the opposite side of the stage where they were standing. "Let's get closer to see—"

But before the Knight could finish his sentence, a sound of a gunshot boomed.

"You are not to enter the borderline."

Voice as cold as ice, someone warned. The knights poised in their fighting stances.

"Who are you? Show yourself!" Seo Shinji-sama bellowed.

Another gunshot wound the air, all of the soldiers ducked.

"Remain in your position, gentlemen," Araki Kyou-sama clutched at his rifle. "I will bring the enemy down." He straightened up and whipped his gun, aimed to a corner of the stage, then pulled the trigger. Another gunfire rang through the air.

Koro-Sensei caught a glimpse of something shooting out of the fake gun's snout.

There was a grunt.

Moments later, a new character joined the stage as Chiba Ryuunosuke playing as 'Ryou-san,' the Hunter stepped out of the dark corner, one arm holding a sniper gun while the other— was hanging limply with a small patch of blood blooming on his shoulder. One sniff and Koro-Sensei knew that that was real blood.

Impossible. That Navigator's gun wasn't even real. He must have shot a sharp pellet. He sat stiff on his seat, face growing semi-purple and nerves popping out on his forehead.

"Nice aim, Mister Knight. Too bad you missed my vital spots," Chiba the Hunter said coolly.

"Yuu-sama, Shinji-sama. Please go ahead, I will take care of him," Araki Kyou-sama held on tight on his gun and pointed it to the Hunter's face.

"But—"

"Please trust me, Yuu-sama. Go on— we are running out of time."

The other two knights looked at each other before nodding.

"We are counting on you, Kyou-san," Seo Shinji-sama bade.

"Stay alive, comrade," Asano Yuu-sama sent a nod of trust.

The two then set off deeper into the woods slash to the side of the digital background.

"I am your enemy for today," the Navigator coolly said.

"Very well then," Chiba Ryou-san's brusque voice rang. He then stepped behind and disappeared again into the darkness.

Koro-Sensei remembered this particular Class A student. He was the one who purposely forgot to give print-outs to Class E on the school assembly to make fun out of the 'End Class.'

That shot must be just a graze for the show went on with Chiba's voice rang once again. "It's been a while since the last time someone paid this forest a visit and hit me at that. I am honored, sir."

"I understand, I understand," the Navigator whirled his gun side to side, watching out for any movement. "After all, this cursed forest was the dead end for the useless ones who can't even do anything to contribute to the kingdom and don't deserve to taste the privileges of being the chosen ones," now, look who was this another one impromptu re-writing the script? Koro-Sensei couldn't remember reading those lines on the manuscript. "I bet you feel bad about it, being thrown into this pit that is why you are helping that wicked wizard. What a perfect role. The likes of you have been the pain in the neck of the kingdom. But I daresay I'm confident: I sure can deal with you once the Princess is saved. I'll reserve the best dungeon on the lowest part of the castle for you. Truly, be honored."

Koro-Sensei kept his eyes on the stage, worrying about what Chiba would reply to that taunting line. Chiba was always quiet in class, he didn't usually talk unless it was needed. He was good in essays and recitations, he was capable physically and mentally, but Koro-Sensei hadn't seen him be active in expressing what he really felt.

Also, there was a catch: according to the draft, it was the Hunter who would be defeated in the battle, therefore the Navigator couldn't be hurt. Chiba couldn't shoot Araki in retaliation. Should Chiba attack, Class E would be defeated.

'Now, what would you do about it, Koro-Sensei?' Koro-Sensei read into the interlock of Principal Asano's fingers, eyes anticipating.

'I trust you, Chiba-kun. Don't be pressured. I know you can do it. Class 3-E will be on your back. We will figure things out.' Koro-Sensei pressed his tentacles together and leaned against his chair.

No response came. Instead, three gunshots pierced through the air. The Navigator jumped and covered his head. When he realized he wasn't hit, he smoothed back to his proud demeanor and bellowed, "How dare you go against me, you little piece of trash! Show yourself and fight me head on! God, even your aim is pitifully poo—"

There was a creak, like something breaking and scratching. Seconds later, debris started to fall down the stage as the dangling props of clouds and stars dropped one by one. Araki shrieked and dodged, scrambling on his feet, avoiding the mixture of thin woods, papers and Styrofoam.

"You really think so?"

Then Koro-Sensei remembered the other day when Itona approached Chiba after class, giving him a miniature hand gun. It was small, only a hand size. 'I made this gun with small, sharp pellets. It uses very minimal gun powder and inflicts shallow shots. The octopus won't let us use real gun of course. Just for precaution, whatever happens. I hope it won't be needed,' Itona mumbled before joining back to Terasaka's gang.

Chiba spoke again. "Then I'm grateful to be thrown out here because as I can see, I'm much stronger than you are."

Araki gritted his teeth and was about to raise his gun but Chiba warned— "Make a move and I'll make sure to hit you this time."

Araki froze.

"There is a big difference between living up there in your lovely castle and in the middle of the forest, yes. While you bask in all the rewards and riches, we get the hardship and challenges. But unlike you who are not familiar with this forest you call dead end, I've come to learn to use all the available resources at my disposal. I've become strong to face whatever comes my way. I'd hate to disappoint you but this graze is nothing compared to the bites and cuts I get when hunting," Chiba stepped out of the corners, one hand clutching at the gun, finger on the trigger, bloodlust evident in his hooded eyes. Araki flinched, backed away and tripped on his feet with a chunk of Styrofoam before falling on his butt.

"It seems you don't feel that gun you are holding. What a waste of a fine model to be handle by someone like you."

The Navigator scrambled on his feet, backing farther away. "Leave this forest at once. Your dear friends must have gone closer to the wizard's castle by now. Certainly, they won't need an all bark and no bite dog like you," Chiba inclined his gun as if about to tug on the trigger, and Araki darted towards the back stage door.

Alone on the stage, Chiba proceeded to his line. He clutched his shoulder and winced, knelt down, his face etched with pain. "Damn it, I guess this is how far I can only go. I hope I was useful to you, Majou-sama, Maou-sama," he tried to smile but then his consciousness started to fade away. He collapsed on the floor and the lights went out.

Both teachers were quiet, Koro-Sensei didn't want to break the ice because he was scared to just burst out and blow things up for his injured student. His relief for Chiba nailing his impromptu lines was the only thing that kept his anger at bay.

He then felt vibration in his pocket. There was a message.

'Please don't worry Koro-Sensei. We've got Chiba. It's just a graze. Okuda-san's now treating him,' it was from the ever so reliable Class 3-E president, Isogai.

'Please, do. I'm counting on you,' Koro-Sensei replied before slipping his phone back to his robe.

"Is everything alright, Koro-Sensei?" Principal Asano turned his purple eyes on him, feigning ignorance.

"It seems Chiba-kun hurt his arm when he fell on the floor before the fade-out. But his classmates are now treating him. Isogai-kun just informed me."

"Aren't you going to check on him?"

"I have the toughest, most reliable students a teacher can ever ask for. They assured me that they can handle it on their own and I trust them so I don't think it is necessary. What more, the stage seems to have some technical problems. I think I need to watch out in case debris falls again or something."

"I understand," Principal Asano read into Koro-Sensei's violet face and nerves popping out on his forehead. He fell silent and waited for the next scene instead.

[The Navigator defeated the Hunter, but he could not find his way to follow his comrades deeper inside the forest— the barrier seemed to have closed when the first two soldiers got in. Weakened, he sent his prayers to the gods to guide them and traced his way back to the other soldiers, hoping for their return with the Princess, safe and sound.

On the other hand, the other two soldiers conquered more traps and beasts until at last, they reached the foot of the Dark Wizard's towering castle.]

The spotlights were dimmed, matching the indigo sky of the digital background that now featured a high castle up the mountain with bats and crows cooing and flying to and fro around its barbed and looming peak. Croaks and swish of wings growled out of the speakers.

"Finally," a voice rose in the darkness, presumably from Seo Shinji-sama

"Let us not waste time; the Princess is waiting for us," another voice replied. It was Asano Yuu-sama.

Then there came a flash of lighting and a roar of thunder striking the stage. The spotlights turned off to add more intense effect. Lightning flashed again and there was a silhouette of three figures on the stage.

"Who are you!?" Asano Yuu-sama bellowed in the darkness.

"Look out for it, Yuu-sama! That must be another magical creature!" Seo Shinji-sama warned.

"Ah, that's really rude," a girl's voice cooed shrilly. "And Maou-sama gave me instructions as to make sure that our guests of honor should be escorted well, but look what we have here," dim lights slowly illuminated and revealed the three characters on the stage. "Disrespectful bastards."

Eyes shot to the figure of the new comer. "Ah, that is rude of me not to introduce myself. Good evening, gentlemen," she wore a pointed witch hat and held a staff, bat wings were attached on her back. "I am Majou-sama and I'd like to welcome you to the Great Dark Wizard's castle. Firstly, I have to commend you for you are the first intruders who had come this far. Maou-sama would like to extend his utmost praises for the job well done.

"I hate to inform you, however, that your journey ends here. Fret not; I am more than willing to escort you out of the barriers unharmed. How does that sound?"

"What if we refuse your offer?" Seo Shinji-sama asked.

"The answer must be obvious, fool," Majou-sama smiled, tipping her head to the side. "Instead of the barriers, I will see you personally to the gates of Hell. I think you'll be lovely subjects for my witchcraft experiments. Fun-filled, don't you think?"

"Go ahead, Yuu-sama," Seo Shinji-sama decidedly declared. "I will handle her."

"What? No—"

"Please, Yuu-sama. I know you can do it. Bring in our pride and glory; save the Princess and take her back home."

The head knight stood still, hesitant but decisive. "Thank you, Shinji-sama. I won't let you down."

"Now go, Yuu-sama!"

With a flick of his cape, Yuu-sama left at once.

"Ahh, so courageous of you, young man. So," Kaeda Majou-sama lashed out a pair of black whips that strongly reminded Koro-Sensei of the tentacles she used to have. "Let's see what you have got!"

Seo Shinji-sama unsheathed his swords and took his stance. "I'm not into hurting women, but this can't be helped."

"Ara~ don't hold back, gentleman. Let me see what you can do," cruel vibes oozed from Kayano-san. Indeed, she was a very good actress.

Seo Shinji-sama charged her way, his swords pointed towards her. He skilfully lashed at her, Kayano-san effortlessly dodged all the coming attacks whilst trying to hit him with the whip and purposely missing. The two were engaged in an artful fight when Koro-Sensei smelled something.

At that precise moment, Seo Shinji-sama managed to stab her on her side, a pretense of being hit on the stomach. Koro-Sensei started to notice something more; there was something odd with how delayed and slow Kayano-san moved and reacted as the battle ended.

Just then, he identified the weird smell he caught. It was a substance... a paralyzing drug.

'... Ketamine!' Koro-Sensei identified it. It was a drug that induced temporary paralysis and hallucinogenic effects. Damn, this was just so dirty.

Ketamine didn't pose major danger when taken or inhaled but it certainly inflicted bad effects on the user. Kayano-san would likely collapse with her mind confused and fuzzy or worse, she would start seeing and thinking things and hallucinate. She wouldn't be able to portray her role until the end and really, at this rate Koro-Sensei didn't care about the play anymore.

Kayano-san's head and shoulders went limp.

Seo must have laced the swords with the drug so that the substance would scatter around Kayano-san as he lashed them to her and have taken a drug too to nullify the Ketamine's effect.

"My swords are bestowed by a powerful spell. A small cut could paralyze the victim within seconds. A stab will ascertain death. Heh, weapons and spells of such a weak witch won't stand a chance against the superb chants of our excellent sorcerers from the castle. This is the end of you, runty witch!" Seo Shinji-sama sneered.

Koro-Sensei was about to get on his feet when the girl who was supposed to have collapsed by now stood high on her heels, hand on the side of her stomach where she was 'stabbed.' Her voice was ragged, but there was certainly bloodlust emanating from her.

"Not bad for a mere human," ... That wasn't on the script. "But not good either. You see— it takes a lot more of just stabs and drugs to bring down a true magician like me."

This time with accuracy, Kayano-san lashed the whips and wrapped them around Seo's swords. She tugged at them and Seo lost his hold of the weapons. Kayano-san whisked the swords aside.

"I've withstood pain and suffering for so long; the way you people treat us magical creatures is infuriating. You never saw us as equals while in fact, we are more capable than you are."

'Right,' Kayano-san endured the excruciating pain of her tentacles all school year long without taking any maintenance and playing like it didn't hurt at all. Of course, a small amount of hallucinogenic drug wouldn't easily deter a veteran, strong actress like Akari Yukimura.

"H-How come—!" Kayano-san swung her whips near Seo's feet and he stumbled, falling on his butt with a petrified look in his face.

"Powerful curses and spells don't work on casters who don't know how to use them with style. You don't deserve such power. Get lost, human. It's not worth it to waste my magic to some filthy soul like you."

Seo then more than eagerly scrambled on his feet and ran away from the stage.

Kayano Majou-sama was left on her own, she let go of her whips and fell on her knees, still clutching at her side. She looked up, tears welling up on her eyes.

"Forgive me, Maou-sama. I was not able to fulfill my duty until the end. I hope... that I was some use for you..." her tears fell, she collapsed and there came a dramatic fade out.

The crowd broke into a low, slow clap.