*maniacal Frustration noises*
So it's choice? Where does this come in then?
By you're own definition, this is an arc, and you're right with maybe a side of they also can learn instead of grow, but it's fine.
Additionally you have forgotten that you assume a character must have an arc, they don't
List
These are what we refer to as Static Characters, Characters that do not undergo change, and they are fine for it.
As to things not being as interesting the second time while yes everything losses some of it's flavor, there are others that I can read again with barely anything lost
Battle of the Tower, The Duel, Kaladin Vs Szeth parts 1 & 2, The Spear that Would not Break Etc. Action, combat, spectacle tends to retain more of it's interest through re-reads than Character arcs do. A good Author, much like a good chef, must know how much arc to put in and how much spectacle. To leave your reader with a good first bite and after taste. Back to my seasoning analogy, a book with no change in character, will be bland and tasteless, a book that is only change is inedible.