The Story Of The Dark Dragon & Golden Hawk

Next day morning, Academy:
All the students were training. Training fights and challenges were allowed in the academy, but serious death fights weren’t.

Romero and his friends walked straight toward Eidrin.
Eidrin was training individually at that time.

Romero: "Hey, aren’t you Eidrin?"
Eidrin: "Yes, I am. You’re the one who loses to everyone here, right? Your name was... oh, I forgot."
Romero: "Romero. Remember that name."
Eidrin: "Okay. What do you want from me?"
Romero: "I heard that every girl in the academy is in love with you because you’re strong. I want to see how strong you really are — I’m challenging you."
Eidrin: "Let me tell you, I never asked any girl to love me. They just do it for no reason, and I don’t even like that anyway. But if you really want to fight me, I’m ready."

Eidrin and Romero then entered the fighting ring.

Tai (panicked): "No, this isn’t good. That Eidrin will surely beat Romero badly."
Kate: "Don’t panic, Tai. Don’t you believe in our friend?"
Tai: "I do, but that Eidrin is too strong."
Kate: "I don’t care. Romero can win this."
Kate (screaming): "Romero... you can do it!"
Lilly (thought): "Romero challenging Eidrin? Is it because of me?"
Student 1: "Is that Romero crazy? He’s directly challenging Eidrin!"
Student 2: "Yeah, he can’t even defeat us or anyone in the academy, and now he’s challenging Eidrin!"

Romero proceeded to punch Eidrin, but Eidrin easily blocked him. Eidrin then kicked Romero out of the ring.

Kate: "No..."
Romero: "I’m not done yet!"

Romero stood up and charged again.

Eidrin: "Is that so?"

Eidrin threw a powerful punch that sent Romero flying out of the ring again. Eidrin was declared the winner.
Kate and Tai rushed to Romero and helped him stand up.

Romero: "Don’t think you’ve defeated me for a lifetime. I’ll defeat you one day for sure."
Eidrin: "Okay, I’ll be waiting for that."

From that day, Romero challenged Eidrin every single day — and lost every single day.
He never gave up and fought Eidrin continuously. He also proposed to at least one girl a day, earning himself the nickname “The Losing Rooster.”
He, Kate, and Tai together were called “The Loser Rooster Gang.”

Romero kept getting beaten by Eidrin, but he gained experience every day.

Tai: "Romero, according to me, Eidrin is far stronger and more skilled than you. You can’t defeat him in those two factors."
Romero: "If that’s so, then I’ll focus on something else. What if... I focus on speed?"
Kate: "That’s a good idea."

From that day, Romero focused on speed more than strength.
He worked on delivering more attacks in a short period instead of relying on brute force.
Combining this with his intelligence, he began fighting using his brain more than muscles and started defeating many students in the academy — though he still lost to Eidrin every day.

Then came the day when each student had to choose a weapon to master.
Master Ryu called everyone to choose their weapon.

Kate chose a spear, while Tai picked up a hammer.

Tai: "Romero, since you prefer speed over strength, I think you should choose a bow and arrow. You can deliver more attacks in a short time that way."
Romero: "I understand."

When Eidrin’s turn came, he thought for a moment and picked up a sword.
Romero was about to pick the bow and arrow, but after seeing Eidrin choose the sword, his mind changed — he also picked a sword.

Tai: "What! Why did he pick a sword when I told him to take the bow and arrow!? This idiot!"

Days passed, and Romero kept losing to Eidrin — but he still managed to defeat many others.

One night, at the academy:
All the teachers were gathered in a room, reporting each student’s progress to Master Ryu.

Teacher 1: "That Romero is showing rapid growth. He’s starting to defeat many students."
Teacher 2: "Yeah, I noticed that. Weren’t the other students calling him ‘The Losing Rooster’?"
Teacher 1: "Yes, I don’t know why they gave him that name."
Master Ryu: "A losing rooster? I’d rather call him a Golden Hawk. You don’t realize his actual potential. He has the ability to surpass all of you one day."
Teacher 2: "Really?"
Teacher 3: "What about Eidrin? What would you call him, Master Ryu?"
Master Ryu: "Eidrin? I don’t think any animal exists that can compare to him. But if I had to, I’d call him the Dark Dragon. He’s the most talented student I’ve ever seen. He has more potential than any warrior I’ve ever faced."
Master Ryu (thought): "I don’t know why, but whenever I see Eidrin... it reminds me of you, Joseph."

Midnight:
Romero was sitting alone on the rooftop.

Romero (thought): "Today again, I lost to Eidrin. No, I can’t let this continue. I must defeat him at least once."

Suddenly, Romero heard sounds.

Romero (thought): "Heavy breathing... sword swings? Someone’s training at this time?"

He followed the sound — it was Eidrin, training alone. Eidrin stopped when he noticed Romero.

Romero: "Eidrin, you’re practicing at this hour?"
Eidrin: "Yeah. I always train at midnight. It’s peaceful, no one’s around, and the weather is calm — perfect for training."
Romero: "Oh, I see. But why train so hard? You’re already the strongest."
Eidrin: "Being the strongest doesn’t mean I should stop training. I’m strong because I keep training."
Romero: "I do the same, but I’m still not strong like you."
Eidrin: "That’s because you always hang out with your two friends. They’re lazy, and that’s making you lazy too. I train with many different people — that’s how I’ve grown. But by challenging me every day, you’ve improved too."
Romero: "Oh, I see... But Tai and Kate are my friends. I can’t just leave them."
Eidrin: "I didn’t say to leave them. Just focus more on yourself. Romero, actually you’re very lucky to have two true friends who stand by you no matter what. Look at me — I’m considered the strongest, but I have no friends because everyone hates me for it."
Romero: "...... Anyway, since you’re training, let me join you."
Eidrin: "If you want, sure."

From that day, Eidrin and Romero started training together.

One evening:
Zack was one of the strongest in the academy and he had biggest gang all over tha academy. One day, he approached Romero and his friends.

Zack: "Hey Romero, how dare you propose to Lia!"
Romero: "Sorry Zack, I didn’t know that she was your girlfriend."
Zack (angry): "Saying sorry didn't change anything. I won’t spare you for lusting at her!"
Romero (panicked): "Hey, it’s not like that!"

Zack went to attack Romero, but Kate stepped in front and blocked him.

Kate: "If you want to hurt him, you’ll have to face me first."
Zack (furious): "How dare you!"

Zack lifted Kate by the neck and threw him to the ground.
Seeing that, Romero became enraged and went to fight Zack but Tai grabbed his hand and stopped him.

Tai: "Romero, apologize and stop this. Zack is way stronger. You can’t take him."
Romero: "Tai, I know that... but didn’t you see what he did to Kate?"

Just then, as Zack went to punch Romero, someone caught his hand — it was Eidrin.

Zack: "Why are you interfering, Eidrin? This has nothing to do with you."
Eidrin: "Yeah, but I can’t let you attack Romero. He’s my friend."
Romero (surprised): "What?"
Tai (surprised): "Romero, since when both of you became friends?"
Zack: "What!? Your friend?"

Zack didn’t back off, but Eidrin cracked Zack’s arm.
Knowing he couldn’t win, Zack retreated with his gang.
Eidrin walked away, but Romero ran up to him.

Romero: "Eidrin, thanks a lot for saving me."
Eidrin: "Yeah, welcome. I only said we’re friends to save you."
Romero: "But you wouldn’t have cared if I weren’t your friend, right? Just admit it, you consider me as your friend."
Eidrin: "Yeah... I can say you’re currently the closest one to me."

From that day, Eidrin and Romero truly became friends.
Slowly, they became best friends.
Eidrin also befriended Kate and Tai.
After joining them, he became more social and had fun — but still maintained his focus and training.

One day, evening:

Romero: "Eidrin, I’m challenging you for the last time. If you defeat me this time, I’ll accept that you’re superior for life."
Eidrin: "Okay."

By then, both had mastered Warrior Madness and used wooden swords.
The fight was intense — longer than ever before.
Eidrin relied on brute strength and skill, while Romero used speed and agility.
In the end, after a fierce clash, Romero stood victorious.

Romero: "What! Did I really defeat you?"
Eidrin (smiling): "Yeah, you did."

Everyone was shocked.

Kate: "So Romero finally did it! I told you he would one day!"
Tai: "Yeah. I think our friend has truly become a great warrior now."

From that day, Eidrin and Romero never fought seriously again.
They were both considered the strongest warriors in the academy.

Days, months, and years passed.
Their academic life came to an end.

Master Ryu: "Eidrin, Romero, you two know that your academy life ends here. Now I want to tell you something."
Eidrin: "Okay master, we’re ready."
Master Ryu: "Both of you are like my own children. I have no family, and I’ve been closer to you two than anyone else. You’re the most talented students I’ve ever taught."
Romero: "Really!? Are you sure about that?"
Master Ryu: "Yes. You both have the potential to surpass even me. I want you two to always stay together, support each other, and never fall onto the wrong path. Never oppose or fight each other again. Travel together and become the strongest warriors in the world. My life as a teacher will only be fulfilled if either of you becomes the greatest warrior of all time."
Romero: "We understand, master."
Eidrin: "We’ll always stay together and fulfill your dream, master."
Master Ryu: "Good. My blessings will always be with you both."

They both hugged Master Ryu.
Then together, they left the academy.
From that day, Eidrin and Romero were always together — traveling, training, and helping each other — until now.

*The Flashback ends*

Evening, at the valley in Groacia’s eastern border:

Romero got up again.

Eidrin: "So, do you really think you can continue the fight?"
Romero: "Yes, I can."
Eidrin: "But our swords are broken."
Romero: "But we still have our hands, right?"
Eidrin (smirking): "If that’s what you want... then okay. Let’s continue the fight."

Both of them flexed their muscles, locked atneach other's eyes, and prepared to continue.
The aura around them still glowed brightly.

Lucaris: "What!? The fight isn’t over yet? I don’t think this is going to end well..."

To be continued...