[Eventful After-party]

It started around a hundred years ago, when he was but a normal human who ruled over the Kingdom of Vartos, which was going into a bit of a decline at the time, that and it was currently being attacked, as a brutal rebellion had started thanks to it. His kingdom's army was seemingly powerless against the rebels, despite the vast difference between the actual soldiers and them. Even he, the literal king getting in on the action wasn't enough, in fact, it only got him injured in the process thanks to his involvement in the battle.

The injury was so bad that he needed to be bedridden for a while so it could heal. And in that time, his army kept being defeated battle after battle, more and more casualties being added as their fight against the rebellion kept on. He wondered how they got that powerful in the first place, was it their influence or was it something else?

Regardless, he needed to head out and help, or at least that's what he thought as he laid in bed. A king should be someone who's the first to take action and defend his people in times of calamity. That was his philosophy, stemming from his father, who was the previous King of Vartos.

But, with his current condition, this wouldn't be possible, so he wallowed in self-induced shame in the cold comforts of his royal bed, convinced that what's happening to his kingdom was a result of his incompetence and powerlessness as its current king.

Is power what you seek?

A gravelly voice echoed throughout the cold room, in reality only he was able to hear the voice. He responded to the voice's question with a desperate-sounding "Yes", to which he heard the voice laugh, as if it was expecting that response to come from him.

Is that so? Then you'll do anything for it?

The voice asked him again, with Decarabia giving the same response. After which, the room he was in shifted into a pitch black, smoke emitting from every corner around him. As a figure began to manifest in front of his bed. It was a tall man with gray skin, long ram-like horns protruding from the side of his head. His shoulder-length dark orange hair was messy and unkempt, its color matching with his fiery orange eyes, which contrasted against their black sclera.

Said man also wore heavy-looking maroon and black demonic armor. An inspiration for the future Bone King's own heavy armor, perhaps. The metal clinked as the man stretched his body, warming up for some reason before finally speaking to the currently bed-ridden Decarabia.

Lucifael: I see, then I, Angra Lucifael, am at your service. I shall grant you the power you seek.

It was then in this moment where the skill {Bone King}, and by extension, the title itself, was born, as Lucifael forcibly grabbed Decarabia by the face, the man clearly scared at what was happening as the now deceased previous demon lord funneled power into him, as evidenced by the blood red energy emanating from the demon's arm before finally removing his hand. Granting him lordship over demonic black bones, along with the additional ability to peer into and manipulate memories.

Lucifael: There you go. I hope you won't mind if I watch you, after all, it'd be a waste if you died almost immediately.

The formerly bed-ridden Decarabia was now filled with power, a numbing effect setting in as he got out of his bed, black bones coming out of his back and left arm as some were stabbing themselves into his skin, controlling them and taking the time to test out the new power he had. The demon in front patiently observing him as he did so.

So, he arrived on the battlefield, which was within one of the kingdom's major cities. Both sides were in awe as his torso was still wrapped up in bandages, as he now wielded a scythe, the black bones protruding from his back wriggling around as if they themselves were alive as his eyes briefly turned golden. Whispers could be heard from the kingdom's knights, rightfully confused as to why their king, who was previously gravely wounded, had returned to the battle.

But taking that man's offer was the biggest mistake Decarabia had ever made, despite the powers turning the war in his favor, it ended up taking hold of him, turning him into a raging beast. Just like his successor Haru and his berserk autopilot. And turning what was just a fight against a rebellion into a battle against the king-turned-monster, with so-called heroes attempting in vain to stop him.

It was that single day which stuck out in his head, or more accurately, burned deeply within his memories. When that berserk half kicked in, it saved his life, as he was about to be killed just before that. Yet, it wouldn't stop fighting, it slaughtered everyone in his vicinity at the time, be it enemy or his own troops.

After this incident, it only got worse, his unhinged and uncontrolled actions granting him his title of Soul-Harvesting Warlord. It would get so bad that Drodia, the goddess of storms that the kingdoms of Kretouvell and Vartos worshipped, had to step in, coming down from the heavens to deal with him. Using her vast power over the weather and the elements that make it up to finally put an end to Decarabia's misery.

Even then, the goddess needed to hit the poor man with powerful winds that were equivalent to that of an average super typhoon in terms of speed just to break through his Sovereign form's armor, before using a large beam-like blast of lightning to finish him off.

Of course, this wouldn't be the end of it, after all Haru was talking to the man himself right now. It took a while, but thanks to the demonic nature and origin of the skill, he was able to come back. Albeit in his current skeleton-bodied wraith form, found once more by Drodia and taken to this temple where he would wait a very long while for his successor all until this day when Haru arrived to face off with him.

Decarabia: That should be all of it, but there's one last thing. My remains became a monstrous beast. The one you fought, where you got the devolved version of my skill.

Haru: I see. But, memory manipulation? I knew the brief golden glow in your eye meant something, to think it was that. I saw that moment again because of you!

Decarabia apologized, as his body slowly withered away starting from his lower half. And with the time he had left, he brought out his scythe as he said his goodbyes to his successor, declaring him as the Second Bone King before finally passing on. Leaving his scythe to Haru, who picked it up and absorbed it into himself. Meaning he could summon and use it for himself if chose to.

He turned back, his armor dissolving off of him as he began to collapse, while the sound of glass breaking could be heard faintly. Fortunately, he landed in a certain dragon girl's chest, her blazer's soft fabric cushioning him as her arms wrapped around his torso as support.

Haru: Sorry.....I overworked myself again...I don't think my body can handle it anymore.....

His voice was strained, fresh blood leaking from his mouth as he delivered those words. Elleth looked at him with both pity and relief in her eyes, her gaze shifting to all of his visible wounds, each still dripping with blood to varying degrees, and his skin was noticeably paler than usual.

Elleth: Then rest up, I'll take care of you myself if I have to.

She tells him, taking a bit of a motherly tone as Haru felt his eyelids getting heavier, taking her advice to heart as he promptly fell asleep. The dragon girl secreting her Repair Virus to fix him up as she gave a small smile, glad that he managed to hold on for that long considering his wounds.

Three months had passed since, and a year since Haru and his class were sent to this fantasy world altogether. He spent two of the three recovering in a hospital bed, after all, he did lose quite a lot of blood. His survival of that fight being miracle in itself.

As for the girls, they spent their time training within the dragon-guarded temple, not wanting to be left in the dust by a certain second Bone King. Especially the Nishijima sisters, who became more proficient with their new skills, those being Airi's {Demonbane} and Touka's {Wave}.

Now in the present, the five were once again within the king's throne room. Celica's father having called them there for yet another talk. This time, it was to invite them to a party, one where many nobles from both within the country and from outside would be coming as well.

Airi and Elleth were arguably the most excited for this, with Haru and Touka being on the complete opposite end, very much dreading it. And then there was Celica, who kept a neutral look, this obviously wasn't her first time having to go to one of these parties.

Airi: Ah Touka, could you help me with this?

She called her sister over, apparently she had a hard time closing the zipper at the back of her rose-colored dress, since her arms couldn't reach and that she was wearing long white gloves, which made it harder for her to grip the zipper slider. Touka obliged, strolling over in her light gray one piece with knee-length skirt and blue cardigan overtop, helping her older sister out. After which she felt a tap on her shoulder.

It was Celica, who was wearing an elegant purple dress with golden trim, its long skirt dragging on the carpeted floor as the princess opened her mouth to speak. And just behind her was Elleth standing by the door, who wore a simpler, yet still formal off-shoulder crimson dress, whose skirt similarly went just to her knees.

Celica: If you're finished dressing up, then let's go.

Touka: Yeah, yeah. I'm still not into the whole party thing, y'know.

Celica: Don't worry, you get used to it. Unfortunately.

Touka: Great....

It was now the night of the party as the four girls walked out of the room into a hallway, floor covered by a fluffy red carpet, muffling their steps as they neared another door, one leading to the dressing room where Haru was. When they got near enough, they heard a maniacal, almost deranged cackle coming from behind the door. Quickly being followed by silence afterward.

Elleth was pushed forward by Airi as she and the other two hid behind her, intending to using the dragon girl as a human shield for whatever Haru had planned for them as she hesitantly and nervously held the cold golden doorknob, slowly twisting it as the door begun to open, and what they saw was...something else, that's for sure.

Haru: Welcome master, Charlotte's been waiting for your arrival.

The four of them were unprepared for this, Haru's surprisingly good attempt at a cutesy girly voice caught them completely off-guard. Together with the very in-your-face fact that he was wearing a maid outfit alongside some comfy-looking black thigh-highs.

In addition to that was what seemed to be black bones shaped into a pair of cat ears and a bone tendril coming from under his skirt, imitating that of a cat's tail. And most shocking of all, was his chest. It was very obviously padded, likely with his black bones as well, its size being in between Airi and Elleth's own.

But, the two sisters definitely were slightly less surprised by his outfit. As sometime before they got sent to this world, he was forced into a similar outfit for the school's cultural festival. Apparently it was because there weren't enough girls in his class for their maid cafe, so some of the boys had to fill in. Although it's still as uncanny to them now as it was before, especially how he looked prettier, so to say, than them. And they were wearing literal dresses as well, adding insult to injury in a sense.

Elleth: Who's Charlotte....? And where'd you get the outfit?

Touka: You're kidding, right?

Haru: Me! It was a persona I jokingly came up with back then...As for the outfit, well, I found it among some of the other clothes in the rack.

Elleth: So you're goin-

Celica: C'mon, any more and we'll be late.

With that, the four of them walked down the hallway once again, Haru explicitly just behind them as they strolled through. Eventually coming by a double mahogany door, Celica going on ahead and opening both at the same time. Seeing the fairly lively party just behind it, nobles either talking or eating as classical music could be heard, emphasizing that this was in fact a royal party.

There, a blonde girl waves at Celica from afar, the princess walking over as Elleth went over to some of the tables, where various pastries and sweets were along with other food and drinks. Such as wine and high-quality meats. Haru turned to look at Airi and Touka, only to find them gone as well. Great, he's all on his own for this one...or not? As he felt someone tugging on his outfit's skirt.

Aria: It's been a while, big brother Haru. How have you been?

Haru: Better than three months ago, I guess. I still don't know how I pulled it off if I'm being honest.

Aria: I heard about it from my older sister. Should I be addressing you as "Your majesty." from now on?

Haru: Your call. I'll only ask, or threaten for that if I feel like it. What about you then kid, anything happen in the time since I last saw you?

Aria: Well...I've been taking a bit of swordsmanship with Grimmwald, I'm not good at it at all. Honestly I've been losing hope.

Haru: I can't exactly give you any advice, since I also only know the basics. I've more or less been improvising most of my attacks, sword-based or not.

Aria: You do seem like that type, I'll be heading off now. Thank you for the catch up big brother.

With that, the little elf girl left, disappearing into the fairly sized crowd of nobles as Haru is once again left alone. Though it does look like he's finally moving away from the door, going over to one of the tables and picking up a glass filled with a cold green liquid before downing it in a couple of glugs, wiping some off of his face using his arm.

He then wandered around, occasionally being asked to refill nobles' drinks because of his outfit. He reluctantly did so, along with getting his own glass and filling it with the very same drink they had bothered him for before chugging it right in front of their faces out of spite.

And as you thought, it had severe effects on his bladder, he ran out of the room and went to find a bathroom. Haru does find one, with one other person inside, he then takes a urinal stall for himself, leaving an empty one in between him and the other man, who glanced at him..

After this, he slowly walked through the hallway, it was a nice break from having to deal with the rich folk in the party. All until he heard noises of both panic and worry. He quickly looked out of a window right beside him which happened to peer into another window, this time to the actual party room.

Somehow, in the time he left to take a piss and come back, Aria became a hostage of what looked like a crazy blue-haired nobleman wielding a dagger. The not-surprised expression on his face said all as he was about to go the other direction, thinking to himself that Celica would be the one to come to her little sister's aid so he didn't have to worry.

Nobleman: Come close I dare you! Do it and I'll gut her like damn a fish!

Just then, the particular sound of a helicopter blade could be heard, not that most of the partygoers would be familiar with that noise anyway. They were, however, familiar with the sound of breaking glass as a window was explosively broken through by Haru's Käseschäler, before embedding itself in the wall next to the nobleman, cracks appearing around the gouge it caused.

Haru himself followed, still in his maid outfit. Entering from the same window he just broke, landing onto the carpeted floor. The tendril he was using as a tail was now attached to his back, where his spine is, with several tendrils coming out of its right side. Some connected into the armor of black bones that covered the entirety of his right arm and a bit of his lower right jaw as the others were left wriggling around behind him.

Haru: Oops, my hand slipped. Now then, what's this about gutting her like a fish?

His tone was dark, with just a hint of mockery and sarcasm coating it as he approached the man holding Aria hostage, his eyes closed as everyone stared at him. Elleth, Airi, and Celica were preparing to intervene judging by their expressions with their skills already active. In contrast, Touka, who knew what really happened to Sayaka, didn't bother. Instead, she hoped this would ease the self-imposed burden that he carried due to his little sister's murder.

As he was getting closer to the man, his eyes revealed themselves, showing off his now glowing and purple pupils. At the same time, one of the bone tendrils had snaked over towards the man, wrapping around his dagger-holding arm before forcefully snapping it sideward like a thin twig. Causing him to drop the damn thing as he cried out in pain. While another tendril went in to get Aria out and into safety.

Haru: It's a bit rude to not answer my question, don't you think?

Nobleman: Screw off you monster! Pleasantries shouldn't be-

He made the mistake of making eye contact with Haru just now, the glowing pupils weren't just for show as the man was shown a glimpse of his fate down in hell, the specific brand of eternal suffering he would be facing petrifying him right then and there as Haru held him there for sixty seconds.

And when he finally released him, the boy's eyes returning to normal, all that was left as a broken shell, falling to the ground as Haru turned back, walking towards Celica. The partial armor he created along with Käseschäler dissipating while leaving the cosmetic changes, like the cat tail, intact.

Celica: Good job back there.

She said in her usual monotone voice, with him not really sure if she was serious thanks to it, before giving him a quick peck on the cheek as the black-haired boy proceeded to drape one of his arms off of the dark-skinned elf girl's shoulders while staring at some very mouth-watering chocolate cake that just happened to be within his peripheral vision, or more accurately, his strike zone.

Haru: Hand me that cake will you? I'm craving for some right now.

Celica: Sure, the whole thing or?

Haru: One slice, I still wanna save room in my stomach.

With this, the atmosphere surrounding Haru went from terrifying to casual as Celica handed him a slice of chocolate cake from a table next to her. All as the blonde girl who called her over initially was left mostly dumbfounded as the rest of the partygoers attempted to go back to normal after seeing a man get their mind broken right in front of them.

Celica: Oh, right. This is Haru, he's my fiancé, I'm sure he's made quite the impression.

The girl in front of her really couldn't believe it, this terrifying and powerful man is her childhood friend's future husband? Though, now that she thought about it, it does make sense. After all, every other man her father tried to set Celica up with before him was easily beaten in a spontaneous battle by her, so it works out she guessed.

On the other hand, him being in a maid outfit was something she couldn't ignore as she kept sneaking glances at him as Celica was busy talking to her, presumably how he ended up as her fiancé. Outside of this, Haru was in his own little world as he enjoyed the chocolate cake, even eating it quite slowly to savor each bite of its high-quality cocoa flavor.

After finishing his cake, Haru said his goodbyes and wandered off again, this time with a satisfied smile on his face. Though he was suddenly pushed up against the wall by someone slightly taller than him, a kabe-don or wall slam situation more or less. The man that pushed him there had red hair and was wearing an outfit quite similar to his usual adventuring outfit. Although his was a closed black winter coat obscuring a white shirt underneath.

Haru realized very quickly that it was one of his classmates, Yanagi Yuuki, as for how he even got here was something he didn't want to think about. At the same time he was cackling like a goblin in his head, already thinking about how he was going to mess with this guy as he prepared to speak in his cutesy maid voice once again.

Yuuki: I couldn't keep my eyes off of you earlier. I mean, a maid with that kind of power? How could I? Plus that deep voice of yours, I really love that.

Even his voice was somewhat similar to Haru's, just with a slightly higher pitch than his, almost grating to hear if he had to be specific. The emphasis he put on the word "love" giving Haru a bit of a hint, or warning rather, as to what he might end up saying next.

Haru: I'm flattered, but is there anything you actually need, master?

Yuuki: I want to fight you. And if I win, I want you to join my harem.

And with that last phrase, Haru's panic begins, screaming several swear words per minute in that blackened skull of his as he attempts to keep his cool. Before finally remembering how easy it was for him to win, having already forgotten the little show of power he put on just prior.

Haru cleared his throat, and using his cutesy girl voice, accepted Yuuki's challenge. Though, when the two got to the castle's courtyard Haru started to regret agreeing to it. All as the rest of the partygoers, including the girls, were waiting for the battle to start as they stared out from the windows.

Yuuki: I won't be going easy on you, got it?

He says in an intended cool-sounding tone, but comes off as rather annoying. At least from Haru's perspective anyway as the boy summoned up a pair of disgustingly golden katanas into his hands. The swords catching the moonlight and proudly displaying their supposed value as he prepares to rush at his opponent.

But, the very millisecond his feet began to lift off of the ground was when Haru struck, taking full advantage of the massive reactionary buffs the skills {Hunter} and {Snipe} gave him as he casted Vlad. Dozens upon dozens of bone spikes erupting from out of the solid stone ground all across the courtyard, the ones around Haru surrounding him in a circular fashion.

Blood dripped, the spikes having impaled Yuuki through his legs and some parts of his upper torso, one spike even having shattered one of his golden katanas much to his surprise. All as Haru stood there, his arm stretched out in front of him, his hand in a tightly clenched fist.

And yet, the redheaded boy proceeded despite all of this, attempting to rid himself of the bone spikes, wiggling the impaled parts of his body to almost no avail, as Haru just grew those particular bones longer and sharper whilst chuckling to himself, finding his struggle humorous.

Haru: Sorry, I'd rather you not do that. Hate to break it to you but blood loss is still a thing in this world, and I happen to have an infinite supply of bones to impale you with.

Though while he was bragging, Yuuki had charged up his remaining golden katana with magical light with a bright magic circle projecting from his sword's hilt, likely how he's charging the sword itself. Once the light fully covered the sword, he launched it all in a quick slash only to be blocked by the flight deck of {Fleet}'s Carrier, the first time Haru has used it like a shield in a while.

Haru: On second thought...Maybe I should let my buddy blood loss take you out...

And with a snap of his fingers, the bone spikes dust away, leaving the Yuuki's wounds to drip with blood quicker as there was now nothing to slow his bleeding, the boy almost dropping to the ground as a result of this, using his katana to hold himself up as Haru cast away his Carrier form in favor of summoning Decarabia's Scythe while walking towards him.

Haru: Or perhaps I should perform my benevolent duties as the current Grim Reaper...

He says in a casual and almost questioning tone as he had his new scythe go around his classmate's neck, the scythe's sharp edge just barely touching the soft and squishy skin that was on his neck as he swallowed a lump of saliva that had accumulated in his throat while Haru was talking.

The crowd looking at their fight from the windows, including the girls even though they knew he was at least somewhat joking, were collectively getting tense, and rightfully so as from their perspective it may actually look like Haru's going to kill his opponent no regards right in front of all of them.

Out of nowhere, Haru flipped the scythe so that its blade now pointed towards somewhere between where his ribs ended and his side began before raising the scythe upward, the blade charging with a fluid-like red energy before forcefully bringing it down, carving out a chunk of the Yuuki's side as the strike brought him to the ground.

All happening in rapid succession, some even thinking that it happened in an instant.

But nevertheless, the boy looked at the chunk of flesh cut from him as he wallowed and suffered from the pain of the wound cast upon him, desperately trying to cover the wound with his hands to no avail, blood gushing out from the openings in between his leather glove-covered fingers and dripping onto the ground, joining the many other blood splatters from earlier which had now dried up.

This prompted two peculiar looking girls to jump from the window coming to Yuuki's aid. One, a witch girl who casted a mid-tier healing spell on him that began to fix up his wound and revitalize him a little bit. And the other, an orange-haired knight who wore the typical silver armor associated with knights in general.

She was holding a magical broadsword in front of herself with both hands, getting ready to slash at Haru who had just de-summoned his scythe. The cat ears and tail he made out of his black bones changed to imitate that of a demon instead, this was more Haru messing with them than anything else.

Knight Girl: Not one move, I'll cut you down if you do.

Haru: I'd like to see you try, but that was it. I'm not going to go any further than that, I just want him to admit defeat. Are we clear about that?

Knight Girl: You seem to overestimate yourself. I'm sure those displays of power you showed off were nothing but that, displays with no real value!

Haru: I'm sorry but what? You can't be serious about that, cause I really did carve that chunk out of him. Just ask the girl behind you.

The now nervous witch tensed up at her mention while still continuing to heal Yuuki as the knight girl placed a firmer grip on her broadsword. Her right foot now put forward as if she were going to rush towards Haru. The look on her face making said intent all the more clear before actually going ahead and running up to him, raising her sword to deliver a downward slash upon him.

Only for her blade to be caught by Haru's uncovered hand much to her shock. His hand making a very noticeable and distinct metallic clang when the sword impacted it. The literal dyed-black skeleton of his wasn't just a cosmetic change after all.

Then he quickly and very forcefully swept her legs, grabbing her by the side of the head, and slamming her into the ground all simultaneously as blood red energy accumulated around the arm that he slammed her with. The red energy burned her on the spot he was still in contact with causing her to yelp in pain as he kept her in place.

At the same time, a pair of fairly large black skeletal wings sprung out of Haru's back. The sort-of negative space in between the bones of the wings were filled up by the same red energy that was currently coating one of his arms, making the wings much more whole and complete-looking.

Haru: I'll ask you again, are we clear about getting him to admit defeat?

Knight Girl: Aren't you already satisfied with wounding him! It's obvious you won! Why are you insistent on this?!

Haru: Because there's an audience watching, witnesses who know what the result really is. It both flaunts my power and prevents any future dumbasses who might try and fight me.

Knight Girl: Honorless bastard! You should be gratef-

Haru: Honorless? Since when did I agree to an honorable duel? A real fight would have been both of us going all out and using everything we had, trickery included.

With that, the energy that coated his arm burst away, almost like a bubble popping as he moved his hand towards the nearest one of her arms, picking her up with it as the burn mark on her face that Haru's hand left was now made visible, at least to those in the courtyard anyway.

He then threw her with no regards nearby the other girl who came to help the injured Yuuki earlier along with the knight that he had just chucked. There he sees that the girl who was healing the redhead earlier was holding him up, his arm slung across her neck as the pair looked at Haru, his skeletal wings having already disappeared by this point.

Haru: You're up, huh. I'm sure you've already heard what I said, just get on with it and I'll be off.

The Yuuki heavily sighs, touching his now healed wound, the skin that was carved out of him seemingly having been regrown by the healing magic that was cast, looking like nothing had even happened to that spot besides the torn clothing around it, the same being true for the other wounds that Haru had inflicted on him, before complying with the boy's request.

Yuuki: You know what, fine.

Haru: There you go, that's a good sport.

Yuuki: This is your win, I admit that. But this will be your last against me, you hear me? You damn monster.

Haru: We'll see about that, that is if you even survive long enough to fight me once again. See you then.

He then began to walk off with a smug look on his face, clearly prideful of his win all while the trio just behind stared at him with varied looks all centered around an expected frustration. Though Haru does stop in his tracks at a certain point in his walk away from them, as if he had forgotten something important that he needed to do and had just now remembered it, the three now gaining an inquisitive look on their faces, replacing their frustration with the current Bone King.

Haru: I almost forgot to say this. I still wouldn't join your harem even if you won, I'm not exactly the cute maid you might think I am. I'm pretty sure the name "Kanzaki Haru" would ring a bell in that head of yours.

An extremely shocked and horrified look appeared onto the Yuuki's face as Haru continued his walk while laughing, realizing that who he had just attempted to bring into his harem was none other than that sort-of quiet boy in his class who wouldn't put any effort, if at all, into any class they were in back in their world.