The guild hall fell into complete silence.
Every member of Gravity Guild stood frozen in shock. Astrael, the Devourer of Skies, had been neutralized effortlessly — with a single snap.
Magnus Virel stared at the immobilized dragon, his usual grin returning slowly. "That's… impossible," he muttered, clearly impressed.
Raizen Voltaris remained wrapped in crackling lightning, arms folded, eyes sharp. There was admiration in his gaze — and irritation. "Hmph. Now he's finally worth my attention."
Ignar Draven puffed his cheeks, flames sparking around him. "What?! He's even more broken than I thought?!"
Zephyr Frost crossed his arms, rolling his eyes. "Great. Now I actually have to try harder."
Seraphina Noctis hovered slightly above the ground, a soft smile playing on her lips. "Everyone calm down. Thorn's strength is not a threat to us. It's an asset."
Valeria Stormblade observed quietly, spectral weapons fading behind her.
Levy stood near a glowing scroll, writing rapidly. "SSS+ classification. Gravity manipulation. Light-speed displacement. Energy absorption patterns. This is beyond standard mage parameters…"
Elfman flexed dramatically. "We pride ourselves on physical strength… but gravity and speed combined? That's monstrous."
At the center of the hall, Mevis Vermilliom floated gently, golden light radiating from her presence. Her eyes rested calmly on Thorn.
"You've shocked everyone," she said softly. "But remember this — power is not meant for domination. It exists for protection."
Thorn stood casually, hands in his pockets. "Of course. I'm lazy… not careless."
Her words lingered in his mind. Calm. Gentle. Yet sharp enough to cut through arrogance.
Then the sky outside darkened.
The air grew heavy.
A massive black portal tore open above the guild, distorting space itself. The pressure alone made weaker mages stumble backward.
"Gravity King… your strength has yet to be truly tested," a mysterious voice echoed.
Ignar's flames reignited instantly. Zephyr formed ice daggers. Raizen's lightning intensified. Magnus flexed his knuckles with anticipation.
Thorn tilted his head slightly. "Now the real fun begins."
He stepped forward.
The space before the portal folded inward. Gravity compressed violently. Dark tendrils emerging from the rift twisted unnaturally, crushed by invisible force.
Multiple afterimages of Thorn flickered across the sky — movements too fast for ordinary sight.
The portal spat out waves of distorted, dragon-like entities. Thorn didn't even flinch.
A subtle aura surrounded him — an absorption field. Incoming attacks, energy waves, even stray lightning and flames were drawn in, analyzed, and nullified before they could cause harm.
Guild members stared in disbelief.
"He's not just strong… he's controlling everything."
An invisible dome expanded above the guild hall, forming a multilayered gravity barrier. Dragon claws struck it. Lightning collided. Flames exploded. Nothing passed through.
Mevis floated beside Thorn, golden aura stabilizing the surroundings.
"Be careful," she warned gently. "This entity is far more dangerous than the last."
Thorn glanced toward the widening rift. "Don't worry, Guild Master. Even in lazy mode, I'm fully aware."
The portal widened further.
From within it, a colossal silhouette emerged.
Black scales shimmered with otherworldly energy. Massive wings spread across the fractured sky. Crimson eyes opened with ancient malice.
A Dark Dragon God.
The ground trembled.
Raizen launched a lightning strike. Ignar followed with roaring flames. Zephyr sent ice shards slicing forward. Magnus activated his destruction aura.
The attacks collided with the entity — only to be swallowed by the portal's unstable energy.
Thorn exhaled softly.
The world around him compressed slightly, as if gravity itself bowed to his will.
Space folded.
The dragon's aura destabilized.
Every attack aimed at the guild was redirected, crushed, or absorbed within Thorn's domain.
So far… toys, he thought calmly. Let's escalate.
The Dragon God flapped its wings, generating a devastating shockwave. Debris flew. Gravity distorted violently, pushing against Thorn's control.
For the first time, the air trembled under real pressure.
Thorn's aura intensified.
Compression increased. Portal tendrils snapped and dissolved. Afterimages multiplied, moving faster than light. The absorption field expanded, devouring hostile energy before it could fully manifest.
Gasps spread through the guild.
"He's unstoppable…"
Mevis watched him carefully, a soft but knowing smile on her face. "Power alone does not define him. Discipline does."
The portal fluctuated violently.
For a brief moment, calm returned between surges of energy.
Mevis looked at Thorn. "Your power… it remains for protection, yes?"
Thorn's expression softened slightly. "Always."
Inwardly, he added: For the guild. And for you.
The Dragon God roared again, this time accompanied by multiple shadowed figures emerging behind it — minions formed from pure darkness.
Ignar grinned fiercely. "Now that's more like it!"
Raizen cracked his neck. Magnus laughed. Zephyr stepped forward. Seraphina's aura deepened. Valeria summoned multiple weapons at once.
The entire guild stood ready.
Thorn stretched lazily, hands still in his pockets, gravity aura subtly expanding across the battlefield.
"Time to show," he murmured, eyes glowing silver, "why the Lazy Monster is the worst nightmare any villain could face."
Above them, the black portal pulsed violently.
Trials had begun.
And this time, the enemy had no intention of retreating.