In the area where some were resting while others continued training, George Jr. witnessed exactly what had just happened.
While not unusual in a contact sport, the way Jason had hit Jimmy carried a clearly personal tone. It wasn't just a physical clash — it was an intentional act meant to harm.
Feeling somewhat guilty for having thought that it all stemmed from his own poor relationship with Jason, George Jr. walked over to Jimmy and said, "Looks like you've already met Jason the jerk… He's a bully. Loves picking on newcomers just to feel superior."
George Jr. knew all too well that people like Jason were experts at using their physical advantage to harass others. These kinds of individuals rarely make mistakes big enough to be punished, but they're always doing small, sneaky things to torment those they see as weak.
If someone like that sets their sights on you and you ignore them, they'll probably think you're easy to manipulate and cling to you like a leech.
Aware of how hard it was to deal with Jason, George Jr. asked, "Do you want me to tell the coach what happened?"
Jimmy's calm gaze met Jason's, who, from a distance, seemed to be enjoying the situation. After seeing that, Jimmy shook his head and firmly replied, "No need. I can handle this on my own."
"Alright…" George Jr. responded, respecting Jimmy's resolute attitude. He didn't push the matter further.
However, before walking away, he turned and said, "If he bothers you again, let me know. I still have a few scores to settle with him."
The last time George Jr. and Jason clashed was due to an argument on the field involving little Sheldon. Although the coach had stepped in and cooled things down, the two had been sworn enemies ever since.
While they were talking, the break came to an end.
It was time for confrontation training.
After organizing the drills, Coach George pulled Jimmy aside to personally explain a few key techniques for this kind of practice.
That's when Jason walked over, leaving his training partner behind and, pretending to be friendly, said:
"Coach, talking doesn't do much without some action. I'm happy to help this new teammate get used to the rules faster." Jason showed up like a comic relief character in front of Coach George, who opened his eyes in surprise.
As he spoke, Jason casually brushed the grass under his feet, wearing a fake expression of innocence. Anyone who didn't know him might actually think he wanted to help Jimmy.
But Coach George knew Jason's nature all too well and wasn't fooled.
Still, just as he was about to reject the offer, Jimmy locked eyes with Jason. There was a malicious glint in both their eyes. Jimmy smiled and said, "The teammate's got a point. Practice is the best teacher."
Coach George shook his head in resignation. "Alright, if you insist…"
Once approved, Jimmy and Jason put on their protective helmets and headed onto the field.
"Cocky little punk… I admire your bravery…" Jason muttered as he adjusted his helmet, then whispered, "I promise I'll be gentler… in a bit."
Jimmy could hear the smugness in his tone — a smile that didn't need to be seen to be understood. He knew Jason was completely underestimating him.
Ever since he began modifying his body, enhancing his genetics and boosting his brute strength, Jimmy hadn't yet had the chance to test his true limits. This was his chance.
Seeing that Jimmy didn't respond to the provocation, Jason pressed on, "As a rookie, you should practice your defense. I'm about to charge you. Try not to go flying, alright?"
Jason clearly had no intention of teaching any confrontation techniques. He just wanted to hit him.
But Jimmy wasn't intimidated. He widened his stance, leaned forward slightly, raised his arms, and got ready for the impact.
Thanks to his enhanced body, Jimmy wasn't afraid of physical contact — not even against someone larger. That's why he had accepted the challenge without hesitation.
And then, they collided forcefully. Jimmy twisted his torso to absorb the impact, but Jason used the opportunity to latch onto him with a series of sneaky moves that didn't go unnoticed.
What started as a simple drill between the two quickly escalated into a full-on brawl.
Jason was heavier and much more experienced, while Jimmy stood out for his agility and, at a glance, seemed to have better endurance.
After several exchanges, neither of them had gained a clear advantage.
Just as Jason stepped back to prepare for a second attack, Jimmy's voice cut through with biting sarcasm:
"Is that all you've got? Didn't eat lunch, toad?" His words were light but packed with mockery.
Already annoyed for failing to dominate the first exchange, Jason's temper snapped when he heard that remark.
"You little bastard! I was just playing! Now let me teach you to respect your betters…" Jason growled, lowering his head and slamming into Jimmy with his helmet.
In American football, hitting someone with your helmet is one of the most serious fouls.
Thanks to George Jr.'s lessons, Jimmy already knew the rules. Seeing Jason resort to such a dirty move didn't scare him — it fired him up.
This was exactly the moment Jimmy had been waiting for.
By the rules, Jimmy technically didn't yet have the level to face a veteran like Jason. But if the rules were being ignored, he had no fear of going head-to-head.
When Jason hit him with his helmet, Jimmy pretended not to notice the foul and kept his defensive posture, moving his hands to block the attack.
In reality, he had shifted his center of gravity to his left side, and his right leg was ready to strike at any moment.
Crack!
The two clashed again, but this time, the sound was especially sharp.
Jimmy endured the pain from the blow to his arm and, seizing the opening, delivered a powerful kick straight to Jason's groin.
"AHHHHHHH!" With a scream of agony, Jason collapsed, crawling on the ground and clutching himself.
His cry was so guttural that everyone on the field turned to look.
Jimmy didn't care about the attention. He pretended to be furious, removed his helmet, and walked up to Jason, shouting, "What the hell do you think you're doing, you damn bull?! If you want a fight, just say it, coward!"
Seeing Jimmy's hostile look, Captain Tommy quickly ran over and stepped in between them.
Before Tommy could say a word, Jimmy coldly said, without an ounce of fear: "Get out of the way."
Tommy had already observed the situation and knew Jason was the one who started it with the foul. The usually composed and stern captain was momentarily stunned by Jimmy's boldness.
Taking advantage of Tommy's hesitation, Jimmy slipped past him and approached Jason. He leaned down, removed his helmet, and without any sympathy for Jason's pain-filled expression, raised the helmet and slammed it into Jason's face.
Several teeth flew out, and Jason's face was instantly covered in blood. What remained now were only fear and helplessness in his expression.
Jason's sobbing finally snapped Tommy back to reality, and he quickly began gathering teammates to pull Jimmy away.
By the time the coaches — ironically the ones in the worst shape on the team — arrived, everything had already settled down.
Seeing the chaos, Coach George asked furiously, "What the hell happened here?"
In fact, Coach George had been watching Jimmy closely. When he saw Jason headbutt someone with his helmet, he had already decided to intervene. But before he could, he witnessed Jimmy's counterattack.
Seeing that Jimmy didn't appear injured, and already having a personal bias toward the boy, Coach George approached slowly.
When the coach asked what happened, Captain Tommy answered honestly, "Looks like Jason pissed Jimmy off first by committing a foul. Then things escalated, and this is the result."
Coach George didn't press for more details and went to check on Jason's injuries. He immediately called on Aaron to gather some team members and take Jason to the school hospital.
Seeing Jason — the group's so-called bad boy — in such a pitiful state as he was carried away, many teammates who had once been bullied by him couldn't help but show satisfied expressions.
Among the crowd, George Jr. gave Jimmy a thumbs-up in approval.
Once Jason had been taken away, Coach George turned back with a much more serious look and asked:
"Now tell me, what exactly happened?"