The morning was supposed to be peaceful.That was Tatsu's first mistake.
The second was buying a steamed bun and unwrapping it in public.
The smell carried down the alley, drifting into the nose of a very hungry stray dog.Which alerted the second dog.Then the third.Then apparently the entire dog population of Mage Roadway.
Fridge Sama stared at the approaching pack of thirty dogs with the calm stare of a man ready to critique the situation rather than flee from it.
"Tatsu," he said, "you have caused a canine uprising."
Tatsu backed away, clutching his food."I did not expect dogs to appear out of thin air."
"They did not appear from thin air," Fridge Sama said. "They appeared when you opened the bun. This is your fault."
The lead dog growled.
Tatsu whispered, "Is this how I die. Eaten over a discount bun."
Fridge Sama replied, "Possibly."
The pack of dogs took one synchronized step forward.
Tatsu screamed with the full force of a man who had reached his emotional limit.He broke into a sprint, darting down the sidewalk.
The dogs chased.
Fridge Sama followed after him at a leisurely pace, walking with the unhurried air of someone out for a pleasant stroll while chaos happened around him.
"Tatsu," he called out, voice steady, "you cannot outrun them. You run like a wounded potato."
"I am doing my best," Tatsu yelled back.
"Your best is unacceptable."
A dog jumped at Tatsu's leg.
Fridge Sama flicked his fingers, releasing a faint swirl of cold.The air chilled and the dog stopped mid leap, suddenly reconsidering its life choices before backing off.
That only angered the rest.
Ten more dogs surged forward.
Tatsu screamed again and veered left into an open archway that led to an empty training ground.
It was not just any training ground.It was a Sword Field.
Dozens of old wooden swords were stuck in the ground, some snapped, some scorched, some clearly used to beat beginners who had suffered enough.
Tatsu dashed into the field, breath gasping.The dogs poured in after him.
Fridge Sama finally stepped inside, glancing around.
"This is a terrible battlefield," he said.
"I am sorry we do not have a deluxe arena with heating," Tatsu snapped.
"Hm," Fridge Sama said. "There is too much noise."
The dogs barked louder and began circling.
Tatsu picked up a wooden sword from the ground and immediately dropped it."Ow. It is heavier than it looks."
Fridge Sama sighed."You are hopeless."
"This is not the time to discuss my weaknesses," Tatsu said.
"It is always the time," Fridge Sama said.
One of the dogs lunged at Tatsu.
Fridge Sama stepped forward with a single smooth motion.He flicked his wrist at the air.
A wave of cold pushed outward, invisible but powerful.
The dogs skidded to a stop.They began backing away, ears down, tails tucked.They could feel something primal and ancient in the air.Not fear.Not threat.
Just a cold certainty that this man was not prey.
Tatsu stared as the dogs slowly retreated out of the field, whimpering.
"Are you controlling them," he asked.
"No," Fridge Sama said calmly. "Animals simply understand survival."
Tatsu exhaled shakily."That was terrifying."
"Only for them," Fridge Sama said.
Tatsu wiped sweat from his forehead, then gasped when he noticed something at the far end of the Sword Field.
A man stood there.
Tall, broad shouldered, wearing a training uniform.He held a wooden sword, planted firmly into the ground.His aura flickered with calm strength.
He had been watching them.
Fridge Sama narrowed his eyes.
Tatsu whispered, "Please tell me he is a normal person."
Fridge Sama replied, "No one who stands that still is normal."
The man stepped forward.
"You two," he said. "I have been waiting."
Tatsu blinked. "Us. Why."
The man pointed the sword at Fridge Sama.
"My sword master said to wait for the one who carries the cold wind."
Tatsu choked."Please no prophecies. I cannot afford destinies."
Fridge Sama remained silent, his face unreadable.
The man took another step.
"You. The cold one. Face me."
The Sword Field went still.
Tatsu felt the cold bite a little deeper.
Fridge Sama looked at the challenger with calm detachment and said quietly,
"Very well. Show me your resolve."