Romero: The Rise Of A Thunder

Suddenly, an old man approached Romero and gave him some water. The old man then helped Romero to stand up. The man was more than seventy years old, yet still energetic and surprisingly strong for his age.

Old Man: “What happened, son? You look weak and fragile.”
Romero: “That’s because I haven’t eaten anything for two days.”
Old Man: “Oh, I see.”

The old man then brought some food and gave it to Romero.

Romero: “Thank you very much for this. I don’t know how to repay you.”
Old Man: “It’s okay. By the way, why were you lying on the street? Are you homeless? Where are your parents?”
Romero: “Actually... I left home.”
Old Man: “Why?”
Romero: “My dream is to become a great warrior, but my father opposed it. He wanted me to be a farmer, so I left home.”
Old Man: “Oh, I see. So you want to be a great warrior... But now what are you going to do? I guess you don’t have any money left. Are you returning home or continuing your dream?”
Romero: “Actually... I haven’t decided yet. But still, I don’t want to return home without completing my goal. I’m not going to return until I achieve it.”
Old Man: “But you don’t have any money to travel further.”
Romero: “I know... but I don’t care whether I die or not. I’m not going back home without completing my goal.”
Old Man: “Impressive! You have guts. You’re a pretty impressive young man with a solid dream. There’s an academy in the south from here. If you train there, with your spirit, you can surely become a great warrior.”
Romero: “But I don’t have any money...”
Old Man: “They give free training in that academy, so you don’t need money to get trained there.”
Romero: “Really? Thank you so much. I’ll go right away.”
Old Man: “Hey, wait. Take this.”

The old man handed some money to Romero.

Romero (shocked): “What? Do I really deserve this money?”
Old Man: “Yes, you do.”
Romero: “But I don’t know whether we’ll meet again or not, so I can’t return this.”
Old Man: “Son, money doesn’t belong to anyone. It’s meant to help the needy. I have enough for myself, so I must give some to you — a deserving young man.”
Romero: “Thank you for your big heart. I’ll never forget this in my life.”

Romero then left in the direction the old man had told him. It took him two days to reach the academy. The academy was at the top of a hill. It looked like a monastery — calm and peaceful — with some boys around his age training there. Suddenly, a man who seemed to be a guard of the academy approached Romero.

Guard: “Hey, who are you? Why are you here?”
Romero: “My name is Romero. I heard that it’s free to learn martial arts here, so I came to join.”
Guard: “Oh, I see. But Master Ryu is the one who decides whether you can join or not. He’s the founder and the most superior teacher of this academy.”
Romero: “So... can you please introduce me to him?”
Guard: “Of course, but are you sure you really want to join here? This place isn’t what you might think. The training is extremely hard — not for normal people. Once you join, you can’t leave without completing the whole course. The training period depends on your talent and endurance. Moreover, Master Ryu can even read people’s minds. He can understand whether someone’s intentions are good or bad just by looking at them. If your intentions are bad, he’ll know immediately and throw you out.”
Romero: “I understand. But I’ve traveled a long way to reach here, so I’m not leaving now.”
Guard: “Alright, if you’re serious, I’ll take you to Master Ryu.”

Romero and the guard walked inside the academy. It was vast — covering almost three kilometers. Many teachers lived and trained young warriors there. The rule was that after completing the course, students could either become teachers in the academy or serve as warriors in the army or roam across nations.

Master Ryu was watching the young warriors train. Upon reaching him, Romero realized that Master Ryu was the same old man who had helped him.

Romero (thought): “What?! That old man... He’s Master Ryu!?”
Guard: “Master Ryu, there’s a new student here.”

Master Ryu turned around and saw Romero.

Master Ryu (smiling): “Oh, Romero! I was waiting for you. Welcome to my academy.”
Guard (surprised): “You already know him? He didn’t tell me that.”
Master Ryu: “Yes, I already know this young man. Show him around the academy and introduce him to the other teachers.”
Guard: “Okay, Master.”

At that time, Master Ryu was wearing only a white cloth around his upper body, revealing his muscular physique. Romero hadn’t noticed that before, but now he realized that Master Ryu was far from ordinary.

Within two days, Romero began his training. He soon understood that the academy’s methods were completely different from what he was used to. They didn’t start with swords. First came body fitness, then body building, then basic martial arts, followed by mastering martial arts. Only after that did they begin training with weapons.

The food in the academy wasn’t tasty at all — just healthy meals meant to aid recovery. Romero struggled at first but soon began to adapt. There were fighting competitions between students, but Romero lost to almost everyone. Still, he continued to work hard and never gave up.

No one wanted to be his friend because everyone considered him weak — except for two people, Kate and Tai. They were also considered among the weakest. Kate was lazy, and Tai was only a little better. They both stood by Romero’s side and supported him.

Even though Romero was weak, he was one of Master Ryu’s favorites. Master Ryu knew that Romero had the potential to become a great warrior. But his most favorite student was Eidrin. Eidrin wasmthe strongest student in the academy. No one could defeat him. Everyone respected Eidrin, but he was calm and quiet by nature.

Romero, on the other hand, developed a fun-loving personality with Kate and Tai. They always joked around, though Romero still trained seriously.

One morning, in the academy garden:

Romero was doing his usual workout while Kate and Tai sat lazily nearby.

Tai: “Guys, let’s go to town tomorrow and have some fun.”
Kate: “Yeah, there’s a new gambling den opened there. We can have a blast.”
Romero: “Isn’t gambling a bad thing?”
Kate: “Who cares?”
Romero: “Do you guys even care about anything in life? Are you actually training?”
Tai: “Romero, why should we train when we have a strong friend like you? You’ll protect us, right?”
Romero: “You two already know I’m weak — maybe weaker than both of you.”
Kate: “At least you’re trying to get stronger, while we’re not. We know you’ll become powerful one day. You have potential. You joined this academy by your own will. I only joined because my parents forced me.”
Tai: “And you already know I joined because I’m an orphan and had nowhere else to go. Not because I wanted to be a warrior.”
Romero: “...Hey, let’s change the topic. Don’t get emotional.”
Kate: “Yeah... You know, last time when we visited town, I saw a very beautiful girl.”
Tai: “Really? Why didn’t you tell us then?”
Romero: “Guys, if you’re talking about girls, I have something to say.”
Tai: “What?”
Romero: “You two know Lilly, right?”
Kate: “Who? The Lilly who’s one of the strongest girls here? The one with blue hair?”
Romero: “Yeah, that one. I think... I find her attractive — both her personality and looks.”
Tai: “What!?”
Kate: “Wow, that’s big news! Did you confess to her?”
Romero: “Do you really think I’d confess without telling you two first?”
Kate: “Then come on, you need to go and confess to her.”
Romero: “What? Now?”
Kate: “Yes.”
Tai: “Hey, I don’t think that’s a good idea. You’re not even friends with her, so she’ll probably reject you.”
Kate: “Tai, don’t discourage him. Romero, listen — today evening, you’re going to confess your feelings.”
Romero: “But... I...”
Kate: “Don’t panic. I’ll teach you how to talk to a girl...”
Tai (thought): “This Kate... He spoiled me, and now he’s spoiling Romero too.”

That evening, near the riverbank by the academy:

Lilly was standing near the water, lost in thought. Romero, Kate, and Tai were watching her from a distance.

Kate: “Look, she’s all alone now. The weather’s beautiful, perfect for something romantic. Go and confess!”
Romero: “Okay.”
Tai: “Good luck, brother.”

Romero slowly approached Lilly.

Romero: “Hey, Lilly. Why are you standing here alone?”
Lilly: “Oh, Romero? You’re here too? Nothing much — just thinking. I love standing here and watching the river. What about you?”
Romero: “Same reason as yours. I like this place too.”
Lilly: “Oh, I see.”
Romero: “Look how beautiful the river and sky looks.”
Lilly: “Yeah, it’s beautiful.”
Romero: “Like you.”
Lilly (shocked): “Wait... What?”
Romero: “Yeah... I just wanted to say — I think I have feelings for you.”
Lilly (softly): “Romero... I don’t know how to say this, but... I can’t see you that way.”
Romero: “What? What do you mean?”
Lilly: “I can only see you as a friend... and I love someone else.”
Romero (sad): “Oh... I see. Can I ask who he is?”
Lilly: “Of course. The one I like is... Eidrin.”
Romero: “Oh...”
Lilly: “Sorry for hurting your feelings. It’s not because I want to. It’s just... I can’t see you that way, and I love someone else.”
Romero: “There’s no fault on your side. The fault’s mine. But... can I ask what you saw in Eidrin that I don’t have? Looks?”
Lilly: “No, it’s not about looks. You look good too. Both you and Eidrin are good-looking and have great personalities. But since I’m considered one of the strongest girls here, I prefer someone stronger. I’m not saying you’re weak, but Eidrin is the strongest — and he has good qualities too. That’s why I fell for him.”
Romero: “I see. But does Eidrin know about your feelings?”
Lilly: “No.”
Romero: “I see.”

Romero then returned to his friends.

Kate: “Hey, what did she say?”
Romero: “She rejected me.”
Tai: “Oh... I already said that might happen. What was her reason?”
Romero: “She loves Eidrin and can’t see me that way.”
Kate: “Eidrin? She must be crazy if she thinks he’ll fall for her. Every girl in this academy likes him, but he doesn’t care about any of them.”
Romero: “Oh, I see. If everyone loves him because he’s the strongest, then I’ll defeat him and become the strongest in this academy.”
Tai: “What?”
Romero: “And then I’ll propose to every girl in this academy until one accepts me.”
Tai: “That sounds like a terrible plan.”
Kate: “Good or bad, I’m alwaysnwith you, Romero!”
Romero: “I don’t know how powerful you are, and I’ve never fought you before... but I’m coming for you, Eidrin.”

To be continued...