Ronald took a deep breath and quickly tapped the vibrant blue bubble at Rusty Rod's feet with the tip of his shoe. The bubble, visible only to Ronald , burst into a dazzling display of light, which then merged into his body.
"System Notice: Host has acquired the professional football skill: 'Legal Shoulder Charge +1'. Today's collection progress: 10/10."
"System Notice: The 'Legal Shoulder Charge' skill will significantly increase your ability to charge and resist being charged, but it will also consume a lot of stamina and increase your risk of injury. As the skill level increases, your charging and resistance abilities will improve, while stamina consumption and injury risk will decrease."
Nice! Finally, a professional football skill!
In British football culture, body contact is a fundamental and common occurrence. A skill like this isn't just essential for defenders but also for strikers looking to secure a good position. As the skill integrated into his nerves, Ronald felt a newfound strength coursing through his muscles. His posture straightened, and his demeanor became more robust and imposing.
Already good-looking, Ronald now exuded an even more attractive aura after gaining the results of multiple sports training sessions. He casually patted the stunned Rusty Rod on the shoulder and said, "...Thanks."
Rusty Rod, humiliated and furious, lunged at Ronald like an enraged bear. "You little punk! How dare you stand up to me? I'm gonna kill you!"
"Sophie, don't let him hurt me!" Ronald dramatically shielded Sophie behind him, his other hand gripping the handle of a hot coffee pot on the table. "You want to fight? Fine! I never back down. But if we fight, you might end up in the hospital or in jail! Can you afford that?"
Rusty Rod, brass knuckles gleaming on his fist, roared, "I don't care what you say—I'm gonna beat you to a pulp!"
If not for his friends pulling him back just in time, Rusty Rod would've charged at Ronald without a second thought.
Ronald , calm and composed, reminded him, "Isn't the National Student Football Championship coming up next week? You know how important this tournament is, don't you? If you end up in the hospital or behind bars now, how do you think the school will deal with you?"
Rusty Rod's aggressive stance immediately faltered. Ronald was right. This was a crucial time for the "Stag Steelhorns" team as they prepared for the South Region qualifiers in the National Student Football Championship. Every match in the group stage would be critical. Advancing from the South Region would be a historic achievement, and making it to the national semifinals could guarantee each player a spot in Southampton University's sports program, with potential offers from professional clubs.
As a key defender, Rusty Rod had been sternly warned by the coach not to get into any trouble during this period. If he ended up in the hospital or jail because of a fight with Ronald , his future would be in ruins.
Sophie watched in amazement as Rusty Rod, who had been so fierce moments ago, suddenly deflated like a balloon. She couldn't believe it—Ronald had managed to control the situation with just a few words! And why did he seem even more attractive now?
Could it be that… I'm falling for him?
Sophie's heart pounded uncontrollably.
"And besides…" Ronald continued calmly, "If I end up in the hospital, I'll have my dear Sophie by my side, taking care of me—feeding me, dressing me, maybe even helping me with the bathroom. So I don't mind a fight at all. But what about you?"
Sophie, blushing furiously, pinched Ronald 's waist. What do you mean, helping you in the bathroom? I'm not doing that! The more she thought about it, the more embarrassed she became, her face turning red all the way to her toes.
Rusty Rod, his fury boiling over, stammered, "You… you little… I'll… damn it!"
He desperately wanted to put Ronald in the hospital himself!
But just thinking about how, after Ronald ends up in the hospital, he'll get to enjoy Sophie's "care," while Rusty would only have his buddies to take care of him, made Rusty wish he could just die on the spot!
Seeing that things were getting out of hand, Ronald calmly said, "Rusty, since you've come all the way here to try and steal my girlfriend, as a man, I owe you a response. Let me tell you: Sophie is mine!"
As he said this, Ronald confidently wrapped his arm around Sophie's slender waist in front of everyone!
Sophie was completely stunned.
She instinctively wanted to struggle, but for some reason, her body only leaned in closer!
Ronald continued, "Rusty, I know you're not convinced. So how about this? Let's have a competition. Sophie is the campus queen of Southampton Private School. Only the winner between us two deserves to be with her."
Rusty's eyes lit up suddenly. "kid, what do you want to compete in?"
Ronald said, "You're definitely not going to beat me in academics, so let's pick something you're good at. Aren't you the star of the school team? As for me, I'm just an ordinary guy. I've never really played soccer before; Sophie can vouch for that, right, dear?"
Still caught up in Ronald 's sudden display of dominance, Sophie obediently nodded at being called "dear."
She indeed had never seen Ronald play soccer; she had only ever seen him studying.
Ronald gave Sophie a doting smile before turning back to Rusty and said, "But I'm willing to give you this chance. Let's have a man-to-man competition using your best skill: soccer!"
Rusty was overjoyed. "Am I hearing this right? You actually want to compete with me in soccer? Do you believe that just one tackle from me would land you in the hospital, haha!"
But as he laughed, Rusty suddenly remembered "Sophie's care," and his laughter quickly turned awkward.
Sophie stomped her foot anxiously. "Ronald ! What kind of joke are you making?"
Ronald ignored her and continued speaking to Rusty, "You're so strong that a one-on-one match would be unfair. How about we meet in the middle and compete in... juggling!"
Rusty quickly nodded, his face bursting with excitement. "Good, good, good! That's perfect! Let's compete in juggling! Haha! You've already lost! Everyone heard it! We're competing in juggling, and the winner gets to pursue Sophie! The loser has to back out voluntarily! This was your idea!"
Sophie's eyes widened in disbelief. "What?! I don't agree with this! Ronald !!!"
"Hahaha!" Rusty shouted excitedly, "Let's go! Let's step outside and have this juggling match! Hey, girly-boy, go get me a ball!"
"On it!" The muscular guy with the nickname "Girly-boy" grinned and swayed his hips as he ran out of the café.
Seeing that was truly eye-watering!
Ronald quickly averted his gaze and looked at Sophie. "Don't worry, it's just juggling. I've seen it done before. It's pretty easy."
As soon as he said that, the room was filled with snickering.
Especially from Rusty, who laughed the loudest, as if he had just hit the jackpot.
"kid! You've got guts! I'll be waiting for you outside! Don't chicken out!"
Rusty strutted out of the café with his crew in tow.
Sophie was on the verge of tears!
She grabbed Ronald 's arm and pleaded in a hushed voice, "Ronald ! Ronald , please stop this nonsense! I'm begging you, just cancel the juggling competition! I'll even agree to wash your dirty clothes when we get home!"
What?!
This proud little girl actually knew how to beg for mercy.
Ronald was secretly pleased but said, "You were going to wash my clothes anyway, but I'm serious about the competition with Rusty."
"You..." Sophie stomped her foot in frustration. "Are you trying to back out of our agreement?"
"No," Ronald said with an innocent look, "I just don't want him bothering you anymore."
Sophie was taken aback, then angrily said, "But you can't compete in juggling! He's on the school team! You're just a bookworm; how could you possibly beat him?"
Ronald : "What if I win?"
Sophie blurted out, "If you win, I'll do whatever you want!"
A mature, sly smile curved Ronald 's lips. "Deal."
Sophie was stunned. She suddenly had a feeling...
No way, right?
A few minutes later—
end.