Chapter 58 – A New Dawn
The first light of dawn crept over the hills surrounding Penedono, casting golden streaks across the vineyards. The village stirred slowly: roosters crowed, smoke spiraled from chimneys, and the faint clatter of carts echoed along the cobbled streets. Jota woke to the gentle warmth of the sun on his face, a contrast to the cool night air he had trained in hours earlier. His muscles ached pleasantly from the late-night session, a reminder that growth always demanded effort.
He sat on the edge of his bed, looking at his old boots resting neatly by the window. Their leather had softened with wear, yet they carried a weight far beyond their size. They were a symbol—a bridge between the boy he had become and the man he once was.
"One step at a time," he thought. "Every day, a little closer to who I'm meant to be."
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