The Sharpest Blade (My Vampire System Fan-Fic)

The entire next day was pretty much a wash. Not much could be done because while only two people ended the night with their heads in a toilet, everybody had still been drinking, and drinking quite a bit. So all in all pretty much all of them weren't really up to doing much. They all slept in late, and agreed to get together for a late lunch, this time right there in the canteen, nothing fancy.

When time was drawing near Jade reluctantly rolled herself out of bed and showered. She wore comfortable clothes and Vorden did too. They arrived at the cafeteria just after Raten and Cassie. As they walked up behind them, before Vorden could say anything Cassidy noticed movement out of the corner of her eye and turned.

Her face lit up when she saw them both and she made a noise that was something close to a squeal. It was high pitched, and loud. Vorden could only guess it was a sound of excitement or glee because of the ecstatic look on her face. "Jade! How are you feeling? Did you sleep ok?"

The moment she let out her shriek, Raten flinched and turned with a grimace. "Oh Cass, please, I can't take it." He clutched his head with a hand.

Cassidy covered her mouth with both hands, wide eyed. "Oh no, sorry! I forgot." Her face looked panicked and she had lowered her tone. She made an apologetic face to Jade but before she had a chance to respond Vorden had let out a loud laugh as he realized what just happened.

As Vorden caught himself in the middle of his outburst Jade, being right next to him, was startled and jumped slightly before grabbing her head with a pained expression. "Oh shit! I'm so sorry. It was a reaction." He shrugged slightly with a face full of apologetic Innocence.

Raten and Jade exchanged looks, both of pain and agitation. The group quickly found a place to sit.

The morning sun streamed through the windows of the Blade complex, too bright for the hungover inhabitants. Raten groaned loudly from his seat, shielding his eyes with a hand.

"Who the hell let the sun in?" he grumbled.

Jade, somewhat curled up on a chair next to Vorden with his arm wrapped around her like armor, winced. "That would be nature, genius."

Shiro strolled over, annoyingly perky, carrying a tray of greasy breakfast sandwiches. "Good morning, sunshine! Got food!"

Raten peeked out from under his hand. "I hate you."

"You love me," Shiro replied with a smug grin.

Vorden, beside Jade, handed her a coffee and some painkillers. "You okay?"

She smiled weakly. "I'll survive. But I'm never drinking with Raten again."

"Hey!" Raten protested, then immediately regretted it, clutching his head.

Sil entered the room, his expression somewhere between amused and disapproving. "Ah, the youth these days. No stamina."

"Sil, you're ancient but we're technically the same age," Raten snapped.

Sil just smirked. "And yet I'm not the one dying in my seat."

The rest of the break passed in a relaxed haze. A few sparring sessions saw Raten repeatedly getting his ass handed to him by Sil, though he insisted it was "on purpose." something about not wanting to hurt his elders.

To everybody's relief, Raten and Jade decided not to pursue any rematch or resolution for their previous spar. To which everybody was especially greatful. Shiro and Vorden went a few rounds, which had ended with split results and both of them displaying their wealth of experience and measured skill.

Cassie and Jade went ahead and spend some time sparring. Which turned out to be extremely engrossing as they appeared to be equally matched. However, for some reason Vorden couldn't help but feel like something was off. Cassie ultimately was the victor but for some reason, he couldn't put his finger on it, it was wrong. Vorden and Sil were both wearing expressions of confusion as their gazes crossed paths. They met each other's eyes and without a word Vorden knew he wasn't the only one who thought so.

Nobody fought with abilities ever since the duel between Raten and Vorden first woke up. At least nobody from the main family. It was far too damaging to the building, plus it was very hard to not harm bystanders with missed attaches or collateral damage. So all of their matches were purely about raw talent, learned skill, and practiced power. So in the end the outcomes meant next to nothing. In the end the addition of somebody's ability could change the tides of an entire war let alone a spar.

Vorden and Jade found moments of peace—quiet walks around the Blade grounds, stargazing, and late-night talks. One evening, while they sat on the roof, watching the sunset while Vorden held Jade close and looked at her lovingly a few times. He was overwhelmed by how lucky he felt to have found her. Vorden finally broke the silence.

"I love you, Jade."

She blinked, momentarily stunned before a wide smile spread across her face. "Took you long enough."

They kissed, the moment lingering, he thought it was perfect.

The rest of the school year passed without a major incident. Jade and Vorden became inseparable, their bond deepening. Students whispered about their growing relationship, while Raten back at home took every opportunity to loudly bet on when Vorden would propose.

The pair would return to the Blade complex for Summer, and even visit Jade's home. An Island a little larger than Blade Island. He met her uncle, the only family she had left living but it seems that they weren't very close. So it wasn't a long trip.

They returned to the academy the following year. The general informed Shiro and Sil that he was quite pleased with Vorden's work and they were happy to keep him on as he was an invaluable asset. Many students have greatly advanced their elemental abilities with his help.

Time passed like usual, and Jade and Vorden only grew more certain of their future together. Another whole school year would pass. And everything seemed to be progressing perfectly. Vorden almost feared to say it out loud.

Indeed, everything was perfect.

Until it wasn't.