BAB 5

Julian took a deep breath, focusing on the blue bubble pulsating beneath Rusty Stripe's feet. With a subtle nudge of his toe, he triggered its release. The bubble exploded in a brilliant flash of blue light, the energy surging into his body.

"Light~"

"The host picked up professional football skills from the filled bubbles: reasonable collision +1, today's pick-up progress is 10/10."

"Reminder: Reasonable impact skills will greatly improve your impact and recoil force, but at the same time it will also consume a lot of your physical energy and increase your chances of injury. After improving the reasonable impact skill level, your impact force and recoil force There will be an increase in energy consumption and a reduction in the chance of injury."

Perfect! A genuine football skill, and a practical one at that. In British football culture, physical collisions were commonplace. This skill was vital for both defenders and forwards.

As the skill integrated into his nervous system, Julian felt a surge of raw power coursing through his muscles. The bookish air that had clung to him vanished, replaced by a newfound confidence. Combined with the ten hours of free multi-sport training, he radiated an undeniable charisma.

He patted Rusty Stripe's shoulder, who was still reeling from the earlier exchange. "...Thanks."

Rusty Stripe exploded, charging at Julian like a raging bull. "You arrogant nobody! I'll teach you a lesson!"

"Rusty Stripe! Stop!" Sophie cried, attempting to shield Julian.

Rusty Stripe, enraged, pulled out a set of brass knuckles. "Sophie, move! Now!"

The cafe was thick with tension. Julian, however, remained calm. He placed Sophie behind him and rested a hand on the hot coffee pot. "Want to fight? Fine. But be warned, if you lose, you'll be in the hospital. If you win, you'll be in jail. Can you afford that?"

Rusty Stripe brandished his brass knuckles. "I don't care! I'll break you!"

His gang, however, held him back, their expressions grim.

Julian pressed his advantage. "Next week is the Genius Cup National Student Football Tournament, right? You know what's at stake. What do you think the school will do to you?"

The ferocity drained from Rusty Stripe's face. Julian had hit a nerve. The tournament was crucial for the "Bucks Steel Horns." Qualifying could lead to university scholarships and even professional club scouts.

Rusty Stripe, the team's star center back, had been explicitly warned against causing trouble. A fight now would ruin his chances.

Sophie, watching the transformation, was astounded. Julian, with a few well-chosen words, had subdued the school bully. And he looked... different. More confident.

Julian continued, his voice laced with mock concern. "If I end up in the hospital, Sophie will take care of me. Hand and foot. Even help me to the bathroom. So, I don't mind a fight. But you?"

Sophie blushed, mortified. "Bathroom? I will not!"

Rusty Stripe, frustrated and helpless, sputtered. "You... you..."

Sensing victory, Julian pressed on. "Rusty Stripe, you came to steal my girlfriend. As a man, I must respond. Sophie is mine." He pulled Sophie close, his arm possessively around her waist.

Sophie, flustered, instinctively leaned into him.

"You want to compete? Fine. Let's make it fair. Sophie is the school beauty. Only the winner deserves her."

Rusty Stripe's eyes lit up. "What do you want to compare?"

"Something you're good at. Football, perhaps? I'm just a regular guy from Ireland, a football-loving country. I've never played professionally. Sophie can vouch for that, right, darling?"

Sophie, still dazed, nodded.

Julian smiled at her, then turned back to Rusty Stripe. "But I'm willing to give you a chance. A battle of men, using your best weapon."

Rusty Stripe grinned. "You want to play football? I'll send you to the hospital!" He paused, remembering the "Sophie's Helper" scenario, and his grin faltered.

Sophie, exasperated, cried, "Julian! What are you doing?"

Julian, however, continued, "You're strong. A one-on-one match would be unfair. How about we compare... juggling?"

Rusty Stripe's face lit up. "Juggling? Perfect! You're doomed! Everyone heard it! The winner gets Sophie! The loser backs off!"

Sophie's eyes widened. "What? No! Julian!"

"Let's go!" Rusty Stripe roared, heading for the door. "Someone get me a ball!"

A hulking member of his gang, nicknamed "Cannon," pranced out after him.

Julian turned to Sophie, his voice reassuring. "Don't worry. It's just a game. I've seen it before. It's easy."

Rusty Stripe, overhearing, scoffed. "Easy? You're in for a surprise, Irish boy! I'll be waiting outside. Don't chicken out!"

He swaggered out, his gang trailing behind.

Sophie, near tears, grabbed Julian's arm. "Julian, please! Stop this! I'll do anything! I'll even wash your clothes!"

"You'll wash my clothes anyway," Julian said, a smirk playing on his lips. "But I'm serious about this competition."

"Are you trying to ruin me?" Sophie cried.

"No," Julian said innocently. "I just want him to leave you alone."

"But juggling? He's on the school team! You're a nerd!"

"What if I win?" Julian asked.

Sophie, desperate, blurted out, "If you win, I'll do anything you want!"

Julian's smile widened. "Deal."

Sophie, realizing what she'd just said, felt a wave of dread wash over her.

A few minutes later...