"It's not about losing until I win," he said, a hint of annoyance in his tone. He opened one eye to stare at Cress from the side. "It's about not backing out of situations that could present a new opportunity for me. That's how I'm choosing to view this! I might lose, I might win-" he coughed, "but I'll never know unless I try, and the more I try the stronger I'll get."