12. You got the resilience and fire

Damien mentally prepared himself to attend his Systema class. Prepod Antonov had another gruesome yet effective training planned for him. He had to be in a strong mental state, and that encounter with Adeline made him feel restless again.

"Good, you're here. I hope you're ready for some pain," Antonov grinned.

"Aren't I always?" Damien barked.

"We'll see about that," Antonov said. "You there! Get your asses over here," he called out, and three guys walked in and crowded Damien.

"What's going on?" Damien asked. He had a bad feeling about this.

"What's going on is that these guys are gonna punch the shit out of you, and you will take it all," Antonov declared.

"Why the fuck would I do that?" Damien barked.

"I'm teaching you how to take punches without flinching by taking in pain and turning it into a rage. It will convert your rage into energy and help you win fights," Antonov said.

"You're kidding me!" Damien exclaimed.

"