The Shadow Patriarch's Rebirth: Cast Aside as the Weakest, I Returned to Rule the World
Chapter Six — The Hidden Trial
Location:
House Valerius Estate — Council Hall → Blackthorn Ruins
Time: One week after the awakening
Scene 1: The Summons
The Council Hall was filled with elders clad in steel-gray robes.
Celsius stood alone at the center.
Kael leaned casually against a pillar.
Darius stood beside the elders.
Duke Magnus spoke.
Magnus: "House Valerius conducts a hidden trial for those whose worth is… uncertain."
Murmurs spread.
Elder #1: "Tradition demands proof."
Elder #2: "If he fails, exile is merciful."
Lyra stepped forward.
Lyra: "This is a death sentence."
Kael smiled.
Kael: "Or a miracle."
Magnus looked at Celsius.
Magnus: "Will you accept?"
Celsius bowed.
Celsius: "I will."
Scene 2: Journey to the Ruins
Location: Blackthorn Wastes
A cold wind howled.
Celsius rode at the rear of a small escort.
Stone towers rose ahead—broken, ancient.
Guard Captain: "Blackthorn Ruins."
Guard Captain: "Even knights die here."
Celsius closed his eyes.
Celsius (thought): Perfect.
Scene 3: Betrayal at the Gate
The escort stopped.
Guard Captain: "Orders have changed."
Steel scraped.
The guards turned on him.
Guard Captain: "No witnesses."
Celsius sighed.
Celsius: "So that's how it is."
Shadows stirred.
Scene 4: First Open Battle
Steel clashed.
Celsius moved—not fast, but precise.
A blade grazed his arm.
Blood fell.
The Shadow Vein pulsed.
Darkness wrapped his wound.
Guard: "What is that?!"
Celsius whispered—
Celsius: "Enough."
The shadows snapped.
Two men fell unconscious.
One fled screaming.
Celsius staggered, breathing hard.
Celsius (thought): Still too slow…
Scene 5: The Ruin's Depths
Location: Blackthorn Ruins — Inner Sanctum
Ancient runes glowed faintly.
A portal shimmered.
Eridiaries: "This place remembers war."
A monster crawled from the portal.
Six limbs. Burning eyes.
Celsius: "Good."
He drew a training sword.
Shadow coated the blade thinly.
Steel met flesh.
The beast roared—and fell.
Silence returned.
Celsius knelt, shaking.
Scene 6: Watching Eyes
Location: Council Hall — Scrying Mirror
Elders watched the image.
Elder #1: "Impossible…"
Kael's smile faded.
Kael: "He survived."
Magnus's fist tightened.
Scene 7: Reward or Death
Location: Blackthorn Ruins — Exit
A horn sounded.
Knights approached.
Celsius stood bloodied but alive.
Knight: "Trial complete."
Celsius looked at the ruins behind him.
Celsius (thought): This is only the beginning.
To be continued