Julian took a deep breath and swiftly tapped the fully formed blue bubble under Rusty Stripe's foot with his toe. The bubbles, visible only to Julian, burst spectacularly into a blue thread of light, which then entered his body.
"Skill acquired: Reasonable Impact +1. Today's skill acquisition progress: 10/10."
"Reminder: Reasonable Impact skills will significantly enhance your impact and recoil force. However, they will also increase your energy consumption and slightly reduce the risk of injury. After improving this skill, both your impact force and recoil force will see an increase in energy expenditure and a reduction in the likelihood of harm."
Physical collisions are a fundamental aspect of British football culture, a common event in the game. This skill is not only essential for defenders to stand their ground but also crucial for forwards to score points. As soon as the skill integrated into Julian's nerves, he felt an unprecedented power surge through his muscles. His previously scholarly demeanor faded significantly, replaced by a more robust and upright posture. The 10-hour multi-sport training had paid off; he looked even more handsome now.
Julian patted Rusty Stripe's shoulder, "Thank you."
Rusty Stripe erupted with rage, charging at Julian like a maddened bear, "Fuck! You weak chicken, how dare you provoke me? I'll kill you!" Sophie stepped forward, eager to shield Julian. "Rusty Stripe! Don't hurt Julian!"
Increasingly irritated, Rusty Stripe pulled a brass knuckle from his pocket and slipped it onto his hand, "Sophie, move aside! Move aside!"
The tension in the café escalated dramatically. Julian, unfazed by the danger, kept Sophie behind him with one hand and gripped a hot coffee pot with the other.
"Want to fight? Let's do it! But remember, if you want to risk everything, I'll go down with you. If you lose, you're going to the hospital. If you win, you're going to the principal's office. Are you ready to pay the price?"
Rusty Stripe's ferocity diminished at once. Julian's words hit home; he knew the importance of the upcoming National Student Football Tournament of the Genius Cup. The "Bucks and Steel Horns" team was about to face three formidable opponents in the Southern Division. Qualifying for the group stage would be a monumental achievement, breaking historical records and granting them a spot in the national top sixteen. If they could reach the national semi-finals, each player would be directly recommended to Southampton University's sports department and potentially scouted by professional clubs.
As the team's central defender, Rusty Stripe had been strictly warned by the coach to avoid trouble during this critical period. If he ended up in the hospital or in trouble with the authorities because of a fight with Julian, it would ruin his career.
Sophie watched Rusty Stripe transform from fierce to sluggish, and took a deep breath in astonishment, "Julian, that's amazing..."
In a nutshell, Julian managed to charm the audience and even got Rusty Stripe to admit something. And why do you find Julian attractive again? "Julian," he calmly spoke, "If I go to the hospital, my dear Sophie will take care of me personally. She opens her mouth when food arrives, reaches out when clothes are handed to her, and even helps me in the bathroom. It doesn't matter if I fight, but what about you?"
Sophie blushed, reaching out to pinch Julian's waist in response. She thought to herself, "What does it mean to assist you in the bathroom?" Her mind raced with embarrassment, causing her face to turn scarlet.
Rusty Stripe, incompetent and enraged, stuttered, "You foreigner, you, you, me, me... damn it!" He was desperate to send Julian to the hospital. Yet, the idea of Julian receiving Sophie's care afterward made Rusty Stripe feel like killing himself instead.
Julian, noticing the situation was escalating, took control, "Rusty, since you've come to take my girlfriend, I must respond. Let me tell you, Sophie is mine!" He then embraced Sophie's slender waist confidently in front of everyone.
Sophie was utterly stunned. She initially attempted to resist, but her body inexplicably drew closer. Julian went on, "Rusty, since you're not convinced, why don't we have a competition? Since Sophie is the school beauty of Southampton Private Middle School, only the worthy one can have her."
Rusty's eyes lit up, "You foreigner, what do you want to compare?" Julian suggested they compete in something Rusty was good at, like football, as he was an average foreign student who hadn't practiced before.
Julian, smiling warmly, assured Rusty, "But I'll give you this chance. Let's have a man-to-man battle for Sophie!" Rusty Stripe immediately agreed, eager to prove himself.
Sophie, caught in Julian's embrace, protested, "Julian, what are you talking about?" Julian's doting smile made her feel at ease, but she was still confused.
Ignoring her protests, Julian proposed a compromise, "Why don't we compare jumping?" Rusty Stripe, overjoyed, exclaimed, "You're on! Let's go out and juggle now!"
Sophie was horrified. She pleaded, "Julian, Julian, please stop! I'll wash your clothes if you don't go through with it!" Julian, however, remained firm, "No, I'm serious about competing with Rusty Stripe."
With a proud grin, Rusty Stripe left the café, confident in his victory. Julian whispered to a shocked Sophie, "If I win, you'll do anything I want."
Sophie felt a mix of emotions, blurting out, "If you win, I'll do whatever you say!" Julian's smile grew, and the deal was made. Sophie, however, couldn't shake the feeling that Julian might have a trick up his sleeve.