Chapter Twenty-Nine — The Bloodline of the Firstborn
Location:
Valerius Imperial Academy – Grand Arena
Time: High noon, the following day
The academy had never gathered like this.
Students, instructors, elders—every tier of power filled the stone terraces of the Grand Arena. Defensive arrays hummed beneath the stands, sealing the space.
At the center stood a single figure.
Kael Valerius.
White hair gleaming under the sun. His posture was relaxed, almost bored.
Celsius felt it immediately.
That aura…
It wasn't crimson like Darius'.
It was ancient.
Scene 1 — Kael Steps Forward
Kael spread his arms.
Kael: "Let's not pretend anymore."
His voice carried effortlessly.
Kael: "House Valerius is rotting from secrets."
Gasps echoed.
Elder Thane rose. "This assembly was not called for—"
Kael glanced at him.
The elder collapsed, unconscious.
Silence.
Kael: "I am the firstborn son."
He placed a hand over his chest.
Kael: "And the true inheritor of the Valerius bloodline."
Scene 2 — The Hidden Bloodline
Kael's aura erupted.
White light and shadow twisted together, forming a halo of fractured sigils.
The ground cracked.
Students screamed as pressure crushed them to their knees.
Eridiaries (low): So he inherited that fragment.
Celsius: "What fragment?"
Eridiaries: The incomplete echo of the first patriarch's contract.
Kael's eyes glowed pale silver.
Kael: "Our ancestor cheated the gods."
He smiled at Celsius.
Kael: "You finished the bargain."
Scene 3 — Public Accusation
Kael pointed at Celsius.
Kael: "He awakened forbidden shadow beneath the academy."
Murmurs surged.
Kael: "He broke the sword-only law."
Celsius stepped forward.
Celsius: "So did you."
Kael laughed.
Kael: "Difference is—I was allowed."
Duke Magnus rose slowly.
Magnus: "Kael. Enough."
Kael turned.
Kael: "Father… you always feared this day."
Magnus: "Stand down."
Kael's smile sharpened.
Kael: "No."
Scene 4 — Brother vs Brother (Beginning)
Kael descended into the arena.
White shadow condensed into a blade in his hand—elegant, merciless.
Kael: "Let's see whose shadow the world chooses."
Celsius followed.
The arena sealed.
Lyra shouted from the stands.
Lyra: "Celsius, don't—!"
Too late.
The pressure spiked.
Two shadows faced each other.
One born of hatred.
One forged in suffering.
Eridiaries whispered.
This fight decides succession.
Celsius drew his sword.
Shadow wrapped it like a crown.
Celsius: "Then end it."
Continued in the next chapter of THE SHADOW PATRIARCH'S REBIRTH.