The sun was shining brightly upon Sakura High School.
Sakura High School was a blend of traditional Japanese architecture and modern design. The halls were filled with the buzz of students, their laughter and conversations echoing against the wooden beams and glass walls.
Cherry blossom trees lined the courtyard, petals drifting lazily to the ground, painting a picturesque scene that seemed straight out of a storybook. It was the kind of place that felt both modern and timeless, where the past and present coexisted harmoniously.
Blake Sullivan stood out in the crowd with his neck-length black hair that framed his chiseled face, accentuating his piercing green eyes. His lean, muscular build was the result of years of rigorous physical training.
Despite his striking appearance, it was his calm demeanor and approachable nature that drew people to him. He carried himself with a quiet confidence that seemed almost regal, yet he was always ready with a smile or a kind word.
Blake strolled through the halls, exchanging nods and smiles with familiar faces. He reached his locker where his best friend, Gabriel "Gab" Windfield, was waiting.
"Hey Blake, got a girlfriend yet?" Gab teased, nudging him playfully.
Blake chuckled, shaking his head. "You know my goal, Gab. I'm looking for a girl who's loyal and ready to let me be a stay-at-home husband. I've mastered all the household chores, and my cooking skills are on par with a world-class chef. Why settle for less?"
Gab laughed, but there was a hint of admiration in his eyes. "You're one of a kind, Blake. Most guys are looking for any job they can get after graduation, and here you are with your unique plan."
Blake shrugged, a confident smile playing on his lips. "Everyone has their dreams. Mine just happens to involve taking care of a home and a wonderful wife."
The bell rang, signaling the end of their conversation and the start of the next class.
As they walked to their classroom, Blake couldn't shake the feeling that something extraordinary was on the horizon.
The day proceeded as usual, filled with lectures and the chatter of classmates, but Blake's mind kept drifting back to his plans for the future.
The final bell of the day rang, releasing a flood of students into the afternoon sunshine.
Blake waved goodbye to Gab and made his way to the local convenience store.
He navigated the aisles with practiced ease, picking up various ingredients for dinner. Cooking was his passion, and he loved experimenting with new recipes. He enjoyed the process of selecting fresh ingredients, imagining the dishes he could create.
As he left the store, the feeling of anticipation grew stronger.
The sun was beginning to set, casting a golden glow over Sakura City. Blake's thoughts wandered to the future – a future where he could finally put his plans into action.
He imagined himself in a cozy home, preparing meals and taking care of his wife. It was an unconventional dream, but it was his, and he cherished it.
…
Arriving home, a quaint two-story house on a quiet street, Blake felt a sense of peace. He unlocked the door and stepped inside, the familiar scent of lavender filling the air. He started unpacking the groceries, his mind still occupied with thoughts of what lay ahead.
The house was quiet, and he enjoyed the solitude, finding it a perfect time to think and plan.
Blake froze in his tracks as he entered the living room.
Sitting gracefully on his couch was a beautiful girl with long, waist-length silver hair and crimson red eyes. Two black-feathered wings protruded from her back, shimmering in the dim light.
"Ayame?" Blake whispered, his heart racing.
The beautiful girl smiled, her eyes filled with a mixture of warmth and mystery. "It's been a long time, Blake. I am Kazehaya Ayame, the Princess of the Tengu Race. We made a promise when we were children, and I have come to fulfill it."
Blake's mind reeled as memories of his childhood flooded back. He remembered the day he saved a girl with strange, ethereal beauty from bullies, and the promise they had made. But he had never truly believed it would come to fruition.
"I thought it was just a childhood fantasy," Blake said, struggling to process the reality before him.
After all, he didn't expect that the eight year old girl in the past was serious when she made a marriage agreement with him. He assumed it was only a child playing house so he later forgot about it, only remembering it now.
Or rather than forgetting it, he didn't want to recall it since it would only make him be greatly disappointed if he turned eighteen yet Ayame didn't return to fulfill her agreement.
Ayame shook her head gently. "It was no fantasy. I am here to be your wife, as we promised. My father, the Tengu King, agreed to this marriage because of your unique power."
"My power?" Blake asked, confused.
"Yes, the power of Adaptation," Ayame explained. "It lay dormant within you, set to awaken when you turned 18. My father saw the potential in you and knew that with this power, you could be a great protector and partner for me."
"Because of that, my father didn't disagree with my marriage agreement with you. He doesn't want me to marry an unknown weakling with no background and power. Although you don't have a powerful background, my father turned a blind eye to it due to your unawakened power."
"The supernatural races such as the Tengu Race have a special artifact that can detect unawakened power within an individual. At first, my father disagreed with my impulsive marriage agreement. But after realizing the power you have, my father was laughing and boasting that the Tengu Race will soon flourish under the marriage between you and me."
While Ayame explained that, her expression soon turned dark as she muttered, "If father didn't agree, I would have injured him, left the Tengu Realm, and eloped with you. Fortunately, he agreed, or else…"
Blake couldn't hear Ayame's muttering as he asked confusedly, "Hmm?"
Realizing she was letting her intrusive thoughts out, Ayame snapped out of it as she shook her head, "Ah, Nothing! I was just thinking of how to explain this to you."
Ayame stood, her pair of black-feathered wings rustling softly as she approached Blake. "Our world is filled with magic and wonders beyond your imagination. As a Tengu, I possess abilities that allow me to shape-shift, control elements especially the wind, and much more. But you, Blake, have a unique power of your own – the power of adaptation."
Blake's eyes widened. "Adaptation? What does that mean?"
Ayame answered, "It means that your body and mind can rapidly adapt to any threat or environment. You can become immune to dangers that would harm others. This power is rare and incredibly valuable."
Blake took a deep breath, trying to wrap his mind around this revelation. "So, I'm some kind of…superhuman?"
Ayame chuckled softly. "In a way, yes. However, humans like you aren't called superhumans but Sages. So with your adaptation superpower, you can be called the Sage of Adaptation."
"Even amongst sages, your power is the first of its generation. In the history records that we Tengus have, there were Sages of Fire, Wind, Earth, Time, Space, but there hasn't been a Sage of Adaptation, at least not until now."
Blake nodded, determination replacing his initial shock. "I'll do whatever it takes to protect you and fulfill our promise. As long as you—"
Before Blake could continue his words, a surge of energy coursed through Blake's body.
He felt an intense heat, as if his veins were on fire. His vision blurred, and for a moment, he thought he might pass out.
But then, as quickly as it came, the sensation subsided, leaving him feeling stronger and more aware.
Ayame watched with a knowing smile. "Your power has awakened, Blake. This is just the beginning."
"All sages are referred to their sage title. Do you want me to call you as the Sage of Adaptation in formal occasions?"
In response to that, Blake shook his head, "No need. You will become my wife and you can just call me Blake."
"Also, I haven't completed my sentence before since my power awakened out of nowhere that it caught me off-guard."
Hearing Blake's words, Ayame looked at him with expectation, "What do you want? Do you want anything? Whether it's wealth, I have it. The assets of the Tengu Race are all for me to use since I'm the sole heir of the Tengu Race."
"If you want love, I'll dedicate my entire body and existence, my everything, all to you."
As if she felt that wasn't enough, Ayame's intrusive thoughts went out of control as her expression turned dark, "Or, if you hate someone, I can let the assassins in the Tengu Race put all your enemies to sleep. We have flesh-eating crows so disposal of their corpses will be as clean as possible."