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The Shadow Patriarch's Rebirth: Cast Aside as the Weakest, I Returned to Rule the World
Story Draft
In the Kuasha Empire, where humans ruled most of the known world and noble bloodlines decided fate, House Valerius stood as one of the strongest ducal families on the continent. Their power was absolute, their history steeped in conquest, and their creed unchanging:
Only swordsmanship defines worth.
Magic, sorcery, and all other powers were forbidden—taboo arts shunned since ancient times.
Into this house was born Celsius Valerius, the third son among five siblings. From childhood, he was labeled different. While his brothers awakened sword aura early and trained with monstrous talent, Celsius could not manifest even the faintest trace of power.
Unknown to the family, this was not fate's cruelty.
It was sabotage.
Driven by fear of rivalry and ambition, his two elder brothers secretly damaged Celsius's body and suppressed his bloodline before it could awaken. As years passed, the truth remained hidden. The family believed Celsius was simply… weak.
His parents were not cruel. His father, Duke Magnus Valerius, was bound by tradition. His mother, Duchess Seraphina, watched helplessly as laws outweighed love. Only one person stood unwavering at his side—his eldest sister, Lyra Valerius, who shielded him from ridicule and gave him the affection the house denied.
When Celsius failed the sacred Patriarch's Sword Trial, his fate was sealed.
He was banished.
Not executed, not disowned in hatred—but cast aside by law.
At dawn, Celsius left House Valerius with only one companion:
Riva, a female servant bound by a life contract to share her master's fate.
Together, they entered exile.
Exile and Death
Beyond the empire lay danger—ruined forests, ancient relics, monsters, and forgotten magic. In the cursed Forest of Ruins, Celsius encountered a wandering mage, Eldrin Vey, who uncovered the truth behind his broken body.
"This was done to you," Eldrin said. "By someone who feared you."
For the first time, Celsius felt hope.
Under Eldrin's guidance, he learned magic, a power forbidden to his bloodline. But that hope was short-lived. His brothers had not forgotten him.
On the Cliff of Ashes, assassins descended.
Riva died protecting him.
Eldrin fell holding back the enemy.
Celsius was stabbed, broken, and thrown into the void.
As his life faded, darkness answered.
The Contract
In the space between worlds, Celsius met Eridiaries, the ancient Shadow God—the same being who once forged a forbidden pact with the first patriarch of House Valerius.
Eridiaries offered him a choice:
Rebirth. Power. Truth.
Shadow, the strongest authority among all powers.
Celsius accepted.
Rebirth of the Shadow Patriarch
Celsius was reborn as a baby within House Valerius—his memories intact.
This time, he hid his power.
While others saw a fragile child, he secretly cultivated shadow, magic, and martial arts. He uncovered the buried history of his family, the lie behind their "pure sword" doctrine, and the truth of the first patriarch's pact.
As demons rose, portals opened, and rival kingdoms moved, Celsius grew stronger—both in shadow and in blade.
He outplayed his brothers.
Exposed betrayal.
Defied tradition.
Supported always by his sister, and later joined by allies, lovers, and warriors drawn to his rising shadow, Celsius carved a new path.
He fought monsters, demons, and ancient evils threatening the world itself.
And when his father finally faced him—not as a weak son, but as a king of shadows—
Celsius claimed the Patriarch's Sword.
Not as the weakest heir.
But as the Shadow Patriarch, ruler of House Valerius and a power that would reshape the world.