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New York was organized chaos, a melting pot of lights, people, and endless possibilities. Alexander Dragon walked through the crowded streets, his dark jacket and backpack slung over his shoulder. He blended in, something that just weeks ago would have seemed impossible.
Before, a simple stroll down the street would have triggered a stampede of cameras and admirers. Now, he was just another face in the sea of strangers. However, that invisibility felt strange—almost refreshing.
"Coliseum. Invictus. I can't believe this is my life now."
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A Defiant Soul
Alexander wasn't defeated, though the world seemed to want him to be. He was angry, but not with the blind rage of a child. It was the anger of someone who knew they were being underestimated.
"They exiled me, yeah. And they thought it would destroy me. But I'm not so easy to bring down."
As he walked through the streets, the neon lights flickered on his face. He passed by an electronics store, where a screen showed a special segment about this year's Coliseum aspirants.
The presenter spoke enthusiastically about the talents this year: "The hero program at Coliseum seeks the best in the world. Strength, speed, unparalleled skills. But they also look for character, something many aspirants seem to forget."
Alexander chuckled sarcastically.
—Character… sure. As if that matters when you can lift a truck or stop a train.
He lingered for a few more seconds, watching the screen, thinking about what Coliseum really meant. It was more than just an academy; it was the pinnacle of heroism, the place where the best in the world trained and competed to become legends.
And he was destined to be there.
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The Roar of Invictus
But before Coliseum, there was another challenge waiting for him: Invictus.
That place, as clandestine as it was dangerous, was the starting point for many legendary heroes. It wasn't official, nor recognized by anyone, but the respect one earned by going through it was something no academy could offer.
Alexander had heard stories of Invictus. Fights with no rules, underground betting, and the chance to prove your worth in front of other aspirants before even stepping into a Coliseum classroom.
"It's more than just a place to fight. It's a test. The first of many."
As he crossed an intersection, he saw a group of young people laughing and joking. For a moment, he felt a twinge of nostalgia. He remembered the parties, the laughter, the girls who always surrounded him. But those nights had been empty spectacles, an attempt to fill something he'd never fully understood.
It wasn't that he hated his old life. Quite the opposite. He had enjoyed every second in the spotlight, being the center of attention. But now that it was all gone, something inside him was starting to change.
"Maybe this exile is the best thing that's happened to me. An opportunity to start fresh, on my terms."
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New York, His New Arena
Alexander turned a corner and entered a darker part of the city. The fancy shops and tourists were behind him, replaced by graffiti-covered walls and the echo of footsteps on empty streets.
He stopped at a food cart and ordered a kebab. As the vendor prepared it, Alexander scanned his surroundings.
—New York, huh? Not bad —he muttered, more to himself than anyone.
The vendor looked at him curiously.
—First time in the city? —he asked while handing over the kebab.
—Yeah. And who knows, maybe it won't be the last.
Alexander paid and continued walking, savoring the simple yet satisfying taste of the kebab. Every bite was a reminder of how different this life was compared to the one he had left behind.
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The Path to Coliseum
As he walked, his thoughts turned back to Coliseum. He had filled out his application months ago, when everything seemed to be going perfectly. The selection committee hadn't just accepted him; they'd ranked him as one of the most promising talents of his generation.
Speed, strength, endurance, unique abilities. Everything about him screamed "hero." But then came the exile, and with it, the doubts.
"Will they still accept me after all this? Or have they already crossed me off the list?"
Of course, Alexander wasn't going to give up. If Coliseum was the summit, he would climb it, no matter how many times he had to fall along the way.
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A New Beginning
Finally, he reached his destination: a metal door at the end of a dark alley. The flickering light above the entrance gave the place an air of danger that Alexander didn't mind in the least.
He took a deep breath before pushing the door open, feeling his heart begin to race. Inside, the noise was deafening: laughter, shouting, betting, and the sound of punches landing in the air.
Alexander smiled.
—Time to begin.
He stepped into Invictus, ready to prove that, exile or not, he was still Alexander Dragon.
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