THE SHADOW PATRIARCH'S REBIRTH
Cast Aside as the Weakest, I Returned to Rule the World
Chapter One — The Weakest Heir
House Valerius Estate, Ironcrest City, Kuasha Empire
Time: 18 years before rebirth
The Sword Hall
The Sword Hall of Valerius was vast and mercilessly cold.
Towering stone pillars lined the hall, each engraved with the names of past patriarchs—men whose blades had once shaken the continent. At the very center stood the Patriarch's Sword, embedded deep within a black obsidian altar. Its presence alone released an oppressive pressure that crushed the weak and rejected the unworthy.
A thin boy stood before it.
Celsius Valerius.
Age fifteen.
Sweat rolled down his pale face as his trembling hand wrapped around the sword's hilt. His arms shook. His heart pounded.
He pulled.
The sword did not move.
A whisper spread through the hall—soft at first, then merciless.
"He really can't draw it…"
"As expected of the weakest."
"What a disgrace to House Valerius."
Behind him stood his two elder brothers.
Kael Valerius wore a faint, cruel smirk.
Darius Valerius folded his arms, eyes cold and calculating.
Kael (low voice): "See? A broken sword will never cut."
Darius: "Father will finally give up on him."
Celsius clenched his teeth until they ached.
Celsius (thought): Move… please… just once…
Nothing happened.
The Patriarch's Sword remained silent.
Judgment
At the high seat above the hall stood Duke Magnus Valerius, Patriarch of the house. His expression was stern, unreadable. Beside him, Duchess Seraphina watched quietly, her fingers tightening around her sleeve.
Magnus: "Enough."
Celsius released the sword. His legs gave out, and he fell to one knee, gasping for breath.
Magnus: "Fifteen years. No sword aura. No awakening."
Magnus: "The laws of our house are clear."
Seraphina spoke softly, her voice strained.
Seraphina: "Magnus… he tried. Perhaps more time—"
Magnus shook his head.
Magnus: "A duke's house cannot wait for miracles."
A sudden movement broke the silence.
Lyra Valerius, the eldest sister, rushed forward and placed herself in front of Celsius.
Lyra: "Father! He is still your son!"
Magnus turned his gaze away.
Magnus: "That is why he will not be executed."
The hall froze.
Then the words fell like a blade.
Magnus: "Celsius Valerius… you are banished from House Valerius."
Lyra's eyes widened in disbelief.
Lyra: "Father—!"
Magnus: "At dawn."
Celsius lowered his head and pressed his fist to the ground.
Celsius: "…Yes, Father."
Exile
Location: Valerius Border Gate
Time: Dawn
Cold wind swept across the stone gates as they slowly opened.
Only one person stood beside Celsius.
His servant.
Riva.
A girl with crimson hair tied back roughly, a slave crest glowing faintly on her neck. Her eyes never left him.
Riva: "Master… wherever you go, I go."
Celsius gave a weak smile.
Celsius: "You don't have to."
Riva shook her head without hesitation.
Riva: "My fate is bound to yours."
High above the gate, hidden behind the tower railing, Lyra watched, tears falling silently.
Lyra (whisper): "Live… please live."
The gates slammed shut.
The Forest of Ruins
Location: Forest of Ruins
Night fell.
Broken towers and shattered relics rose from the cursed woodland like graves of an ancient civilization. Monster howls echoed between glowing moss and cracked stone.
Celsius collapsed against a fallen pillar.
Celsius: "Riva… I'm sorry…"
She caught him before he fell.
Riva: "Don't speak. You'll live."
A calm voice echoed through the ruins.
???: "Interesting… a noble child here?"
A man stepped from the shadows.
A mage.
Eldrin Vey.
His eyes narrowed as he examined Celsius.
Eldrin: "Your body is damaged… deliberately."
Celsius froze.
Celsius: "…So it wasn't fate."
Eldrin nodded.
Eldrin: "I can teach you magic."
Eldrin: "But it will cost you everything."
Celsius bowed his head deeply.
Celsius: "I have nothing left."
The Cliff of Ashes
Location: Cliff of Ashes, bordering the Void Ravine
Days passed.
Magic circles glowed faintly beneath Celsius's feet as he trained.
Then—
Arrows cut through the air.
Explosions tore the ground apart.
Black-clad assassins emerged from the smoke.
Assassin Captain: "By order of Kael Valerius. Kill them."
Eldrin raised a barrier instantly.
Eldrin: "Run!"
Riva stepped forward, drawing a blade far too large for her frame.
Riva: "I'll hold them!"
Celsius: "Riva—NO!"
Steel pierced flesh.
Riva collapsed, blood staining the ground.
She smiled weakly.
Riva: "Thank you… for being my master."
Eldrin was struck down moments later.
Celsius felt cold steel pierce his body before he was thrown into the abyss below.
The Shadow God
Location: Void Between Worlds
Darkness.
A throne of shadow.
A god watched him kneel.
Eridiaries: "You bleed the blood of my first contractor."
Celsius trembled.
Celsius: "I don't want revenge."
Silence.
Eridiaries: "…Liar."
The god smiled.
Eridiaries: "Contract with me."
Eridiaries: "Shadow. Rebirth. Truth."
Celsius raised his head.
Celsius: "I accept."
The world shattered.
Rebirth
Location: House Valerius — Birthing Chamber
A baby cried.
Golden eyes flickered with shadow.
Celsius (thought): This time… I will rise.
To be continued.