The Shadow Patriarch's Rebirth: Cast Aside as the Weakest, I Returned to Rule the World
Chapter Three — The Weakling's First Test
Location:
Valerius Training Grounds, Ironcrest City
Time: Five years after rebirth — early spring
Scene 1: The Announcement
The clang of steel echoed across the Valerius Training Grounds.
Dozens of young heirs stood in neat rows, wooden swords in hand.
An instructor stepped forward.
Instructor: "By order of the Patriarch, all heirs aged five to seven will undergo their first aptitude test."
Excitement rippled through the children.
Celsius stood at the back.
Silent.
Noble Child: "Even he has to participate?"
Another: "Why bother testing a failure?"
Celsius lowered his head.
Celsius (thought): A test this early…
Kael must have pushed for it.
Scene 2: The Test Begins
Location: Spirit Stone Platform
A glowing Spirit Stone stood at the center of the grounds.
Children stepped forward one by one.
Swords vibrated.
Aura flared.
Gasps followed.
Instructor: "Sword aura — moderate!"
Instructor: "Excellent resonance!"
Applause erupted.
Then—
Instructor: "Next. Celsius Valerius."
Silence.
Celsius stepped forward slowly.
Kael watched from the balcony.
Kael (smiling): "Let's see it again."
Celsius placed his hand on the stone.
Nothing happened.
The stone remained dull.
Instructor: "…No response."
Laughter broke out.
"As expected."
"Still nothing."
Celsius withdrew his hand calmly.
Celsius (thought): Good.
Scene 3: Forced Duel
A sharp voice cut through the noise.
Kael: "Wait."
All eyes turned upward.
Kael: "Perhaps the stone is defective."
Kael: "Let him prove himself with a duel."
The instructor hesitated.
Instructor: "Lord Kael… he is untrained."
Kael smiled.
Kael: "So am I asking for mercy?"
A boy stepped forward.
Roth Valerius—Kael's son.
Seven years old. Confident.
Roth: "I'll do it."
Lyra stiffened.
Lyra: "This is unnecessary!"
Kael's gaze hardened.
Kael: "This is education."
Scene 4: The Duel
Location: Training Ring
Celsius stood opposite Roth.
A wooden sword was pressed into his hands.
Instructor: "Begin!"
Roth charged instantly.
Celsius did not move.
Celsius (thought): One step…
The sword passed an inch from his face.
Gasps echoed.
Another strike.
Celsius sidestepped.
Noble Child: "Did he dodge?"
Another: "Luck."
Roth snarled.
Roth: "Stand still!"
He swung wildly.
Celsius slipped again.
Each movement was minimal.
Perfect.
Celsius (thought): Shadow… dampen impact.
A thin veil of darkness absorbed the force.
No one saw it.
Roth tripped.
He fell hard.
Silence.
Scene 5: Aftermath
The instructor rushed forward.
Instructor: "Match over!"
Roth stared at the ground, stunned.
Roth: "I— I didn't lose!"
Kael's fingers tightened on the railing.
Darius spoke quietly.
Darius: "He didn't attack."
Kael's smile vanished.
Kael: "…Interesting."
Lyra exhaled shakily.
Lyra (thought): Celsius… what did you do?
Scene 6: Warning in the Shadows
Location: Underground Corridor
Celsius leaned against the stone wall.
Sweat ran down his back.
Celsius (whisper): "That was close…"
Darkness stirred.
Eridiaries (voice): "You revealed restraint."
Celsius: "But not power."
A pause.
Eridiaries: "Good."
Scene 7: Rumors Begin
Location: Noble Dormitory Hall
Whispers spread.
"Did you see how he dodged?"
"No aura… but perfect timing."
"Maybe he isn't completely useless."
From a shadowed corner, Kael watched.
Kael (thought): You survived once…
You won't fool me