In the heart of Eldergrove, where the ancient trees whispered secrets and the air shimmered with magic, seventeen-year-old Kai was a beloved mystery. He was known throughout the land not only for his laughter—a sound as melodious as a bubbling brook—but also for his singular choice to go barefoot, feeling the cool earth beneath him as he wandered through meadows and glades. While others wrapped their feet in sturdy leather or fine silks, Kai


