**A few minutes later, outside the Costa Café.**
Ronald and Rusty stood facing each other, with passersby crowding around them in several layers.
Watching a spectacle is a natural instinct of all humans.
Especially when it's a showdown between "love rivals."
"This kid actually dares to challenge a main player from the school team? What is he thinking?"
"Earlier in the café, this kid seemed so composed, but now he's acting all cocky?"
"I thought he was pretty smart, but he actually volunteered to challenge Rusty to a juggling contest! Isn't he just handing the victory to Rusty?"
"He's really stupid! Hahaha!"
"I don't think he's really that dumb, maybe he's actually quite cunning—he's probably tired of Sophie and is looking for an excuse to ditch her."
"Now that you mention it, that could really be the case!"
"Motherf***er!"
"Damn kid, just walking away like that?"
"Rusty, take him down! Take him down!"
"Is anyone taking bets? I bet this kid won't juggle more than 30 times in total!"
"I'm in!"
"Me too…"
The juggling duel hadn't even officially started, but the onlookers were already brimming with negative energy.
Ronald secretly sighed and shook his head—he had already maxed out his skill collection for the day. Otherwise, he could have picked up a ton of skills and results from just one street!
What a waste, what a waste!
After this is over, once he gets home, he definitely needs to figure out how to upgrade the system rating.
Seeing Ronald slightly shake his head, Rusty became even more arrogant and smug, "Heh heh, kid, are you scared now? If you give up Sophie now, at least you won't embarrass yourself. But if we really compete, you'll lose big time!"
Ronald smiled, "Let's start, you go first."
"Hmph! Count them for me!"
Rusty took the soccer ball and started juggling.
The bad boys on the side loudly counted for Rusty.
"One! Two! Three! Four…"
Rusty's ball control was mediocre; he was strong but not very agile. His first attempt at juggling only got him 19 touches.
The onlookers were a bit disdainful of this result.
After all, this was the UK, the birthplace of modern football.
Even by non-professional school team standards, this juggling performance was not up to par.
Rusty wiped the sweat off his forehead, "That was just a warm-up, but this time I'll show you what I've really got."
"One! Two! Three! Four…"
With his friends counting, Rusty began his second round of juggling.
In the second round, Rusty indeed improved on his previous score—juggling 50 times.
The atmosphere among the onlookers was still a bit awkward.
Fifty juggles isn't a high number, and the moves weren't stylish or graceful, but this contest was all about the numbers.
Rusty wiped the sweat off the tip of his nose, "The first two were just warm-ups, the third time is when I'll show my true skill."
"One! Two! Three! Four…"
With his friends counting, Rusty started his third round of juggling.
This final round saw Rusty juggle only 37 times.
Rusty wiped the sweat off his chin, and with a straight face said, "Actually... juggles beyond this number are meaningless. Fifty is enough. Your turn, kid!"
With that, Rusty tossed the ball to Ronald.
As Ronald caught the ball, a wave of emotion surged in his heart.
In his previous life, he loved football since he was young, but never had the time to play, let alone train formally. It wasn't until he returned after his studies abroad and started working that he used his spare time to watch and play football with a few friends.
Even though he started late, his friends said he was quite talented, but it was a pity that starting a professional career at 30 was impossible.
Now, Ronald had been reborn.
A new life was before him!
How could this not make him tremble with excitement?
Ronald took a deep breath, calming his emotions, and began juggling.
As soon as he started, Ronald felt something was off.
His muscle memory from his previous life was still there, but in this life, his body felt stiff, and his previous life's muscle and nerve memories hadn't fully aligned with this life's body!
He barely managed to juggle 18 times before losing the ball.
Sophie, standing by, looked devastated.
Rusty, on the other hand, breathed a sigh of relief and laughed heartily, "Only 18? Kid, you might as well give up now! I bet you won't juggle 50 times in your life!"
Ronald wasn't affected by Rusty's trash talk at all. Instead, he took a deep breath and steadied his mind.
His muscle memory had now fully awakened, and the 10 hours of juggling training he had just picked up were also activated!
Ronald stretched his limbs and tossed the ball high into the air!
The ball soared at least four or five meters high!
The onlookers gasped in surprise.
Sophie's heart jumped to her throat—who juggles like that? Isn't he asking to lose?
Rusty and his friends laughed so hard they were bending over!
For someone with no experience in football, it would be impossible to judge the landing spot and timing of such a high toss!
Even if you can accurately judge the angle and strength of your kick, it's impossible to get it just right!
"Unless you're Ronaldinho or Messi, then maybe..."
Pa!
Before Rusty could finish his mocking remark, the soccer ball landed precisely on Ronald's foot!
The ball, which had been kicked with great force, was effortlessly controlled, losing most of its momentum, and only bounced less than ten centimeters off Ronald's casual shoes!
This ball control was nothing short of stunning!
Rusty was completely dumbfounded!
His buddies behind him were equally shocked!
The crowd around them all gasped in amazement!
Was it luck?
This guy just got lucky, right?
Or was it... Karate?
As the crowd was still in shock, Ronald quickly and skillfully alternated his feet, juggling the ball continuously.
Every time the ball dropped to a lower position, Ronald would kick it back up.
Moreover, after each kick, he would apply a slight, perfectly timed forward spin to the ball, giving it some backspin to increase its hang time and stability.
Each time he touched the ball, Ronald used the area near his toes, with his toes always slightly raised, forming a "cradle" that could adjust and compensate even if his touch was slightly off.
The soccer ball seemed to be tied to Ronald's foot with an invisible elastic string, bouncing steadily.
Sophie's eyes widened with delight, unable to hide her surprise!
Ronald was so cool!
The first time he looked like a novice, but the second time, he seemed like a football genius!
Could he really be a football genius?!
Wait, shouldn't I be feeling happy for him?
As she remembered what she had just promised Ronald, Sophie's face turned red with embarrassment!
In less than thirty seconds, Ronald had juggled the ball over 30 times.
Rusty and his crew stood with their mouths wide open, their eyes following the ball as Ronald kept juggling.
In less than a minute, Ronald's count surpassed 50!
In less than two minutes, he had reached over 100! And he kept going!
Rusty was stunned: "How is this possible? How is this possible?"
But Ronald seemed not to hear him, still immersed in the joy of juggling.
The feeling of dopamine surging through his body was incredibly satisfying!
After reaching a hundred juggles, Ronald switched his technique, using the inside and outside of his foot alternately.
After surpassing two hundred, he started using around-the-world, backheel, thigh, head, shoulder, and even hacky sack-style tricks.
Yes, Ronald is someone who enjoys a variety of techniques!
The audience, who initially doubted him, couldn't help but applaud and cheer for his brilliant performance!
When Ronald reached 361 juggles, the ball bounced off the outside of his shoe and flew away.
Except for Rusty and his gang, the crowd erupted in cheers for Ronald!
That was truly a show-stopper!
But Ronald frowned slightly:
"I didn't do it well... Let me try again."
end.