Chapter 67 – The First Trial
The dawn broke over Penedono with a pale golden light, spilling across the quiet village. Birds sang softly in the trees, and the distant sound of the river flowing over rocks created a gentle rhythm. Yet for Jota, the calm morning offered little solace; the weight of what lay ahead pressed against his chest. Today marked the beginning of a new trial—a chance to prove not only his skill but his growing mastery of strategy, leadership, and heart.
He laced up his worn boots, each loop and knot a familiar ritual grounding him in the present. The memories of stadium lights, roaring crowds, and victories long past were never far, but they no longer defined him. Here, in this small village that seemed worlds away from the grand arenas of his former life, Jota would test himself anew.
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