The arena entrance felt different this time. As the suppression chains were unwrapped from Alex's form alongside the other three prisoners, he felt his abilities surge back with familiar intensity. The moment the metal left his skin, Alex quickly accessed his status window:
**[STATUS WINDOW]**
**[Name: Kael Ashford (Alexander Chen)]**
**[Age: 19]**
**[Level: 2]**
**[Class: Adept]**
**[EXP: 1750/2000]**
**[Rank: ???]**
**[HP: 89/100]**
Alex's lips curved into a cold smile. 1750 out of 2000 experience points. Just one more significant victory and he could finally advance to the next level.
The weeks of constant combat had refined his fire manipulation beyond simple brute force. He could now create precise flame lances for ranged combat, or concentrate the heat into his fists for devastating close quarters strikes. Fire had become both sword and bow, adapting to whatever the tactical situation demanded.
