"Fourteen. Barely. I was one of the oldest kids there, which came with absolutely no perks at all except all the younger kids expected us eighth graders to solve all their problems." He squirms a little bit at the idea of being 'tough'. That was never it, it was always resourcefulness and heartlessness and an ability to put himself and Orc before even the most basic concepts of morality that kept him alive. 'Tough' implies that he hardened from the experience, when all it did was wear him down and make him live in fear. He takes the mug back quickly, bringing it again close to his body.