[Club house] [End]

Clap, clap, clap!

I looked up at the sound of clapping echoing in my ears, my vision tinged with red as I matched gazes with Ivan, who came forward clapping.

"Huff...Huff..."

I took deep breaths to calm my trembling heart, ignoring the agonizing pain still running through my back from the knife.

"I am surprised, Azariah," Ivan commented as I looked up.

"You took care of eight people on your own, even though they are only above average. It's still an achievement only a few can accomplish."

I just glared at him, refusing to reply.

"What happened to you?" He asked as he picked up my axe-hammer from the ground. "Where did the coward and whining Azariah, who hid behind his mother, go?"

"Huff...Huff.."

I still ignored him, focusing on my irregular heartbeat.

"Tell me, Azariah." Placing the hammer below my chin, he asked, "How did you become so strong?"