kicked up/comfortable/excited confidence

Hi

The prefect's chin kicked up slightly in response. His expression grew more comfortable. That man! The reference excited his confidence.

1. What does it mean that his "chin kicked up"?
2. Does it mean that his expression became calmer?
3. Does "excited his confidence" mean that he became more self confident?

This is a very weird passage.

Where did you find it? Was it written by a native speaker or is it a translation?

Rover