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The Shadow Patriarch's Rebirth: Cast Aside as the Weakest, I Returned to Rule the World
Chapter Eight — The Placement Test
Location:
Argent Blade Academy — Grand Arena
Time: First day of formal evaluation
Scene 1: The Arena
The Grand Arena roared with noise.
Thousands of students filled the stands.
Ten noble banners hung above.
An instructor's voice echoed.
Instructor: "Placement determines your class, resources, and survival."
Celsius stood among them, expression calm.
Eridiaries: "Restrain yourself."
Celsius (thought): I know.
Scene 2: Sword Aptitude
Students stepped forward one by one.
Sword auras flared.
Cheers erupted.
Celsius placed his hand on the crystal.
The crystal flickered.
Barely glowing.
Silence fell.
Student: "Is that all?"
Instructor: "…Low rank."
Murmurs spread.
Roland (laughing): "As expected."
Celsius stepped back.
Unbothered.
Scene 3: Combat Assessment
Location: Arena Floor
Pairs were formed.
Celsius faced a muscular cadet.
Cadet: "Try not to cry."
The bell rang.
The cadet charged.
Celsius dodged.
Again.
Again.
The cadet grew furious.
One strike grazed Celsius' shoulder.
Blood.
The Shadow Vein pulsed.
Celsius countered—lightly.
The cadet tripped and fell.
Bell.
Instructor: "Winner… Celsius Valerius."
Confusion spread.
Scene 4: Demon's Whisper
Location: Arena Tunnels
As Celsius left, the air grew cold.
A voice whispered.
???: "Shadow… chosen…"
Celsius froze.
Eridiaries: "Do not answer."
A shadow slipped into the wall.
Celsius (thought): A demon… inside the academy?
Scene 5: Rankings Announced
Instructor: "Final placements—"
Instructor: "Celsius Valerius: Class D."
Laughter erupted.
Roland smirked.
Selene watched quietly.
Selene (thought): You're hiding something…
Scene 6: A Quiet Resolve
Location: Dormitory Rooftop
Celsius gazed at the city lights.
Celsius: "Class D… perfect."
Eridiaries: "You learn faster in the dark."
Celsius clenched his fist.
Celsius: "And strike from it."
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