After the banquet, Dean Bruce walked back to his dormitory, his mind racing with thoughts about how to build the alliance and how to effectively counter the remnants of the Black Hole Organization.
He knew it would be a long and difficult road, but he was ready for it.
Once back in his dorm room, Dean Bruce sat at his desk and began drafting a detailed plan. He intended to first reach out to some reliable allies to discuss strategies for combating the Black Hole Organization.
At the same time, he also planned to focus on enhancing his own magical training, preparing himself for potentially more powerful enemies that might arise in the future.
Just as Dean Bruce was deep in thought, there came a sudden knock at the door.
He opened it to find Prolo Hawthorne standing there.
"Professor, are you asleep?" Prolo Hawthorne asked hesitantly, standing in the doorway.
"Not yet, Prolo. Come on in," Dean Bruce said with a smile, inviting Prolo into the room.
Prolo Hawthorne entered, sitting nervously in the chair across from Dean Bruce.
"What's the matter, Prolo? Is something wrong?" Dean Bruce asked, concerned.
Prolo bit his lip, gathering his courage before speaking. "Professor, I heard that you're teaching Alice and Delina Reba magic. I'd like to learn from you too."
"Uh..." Dean Bruce froze, furrowing his brow. "But your Hawthorne family already has its own magical system. Why would you want to learn from me?"
Prolo Hawthorne pouted. "I just want to spend more time with you, that's all," he said, looking up at Dean Bruce. "Professor, the weather's getting colder. How about I warm your bed for you? What do you think?"
Dean Bruce nearly choked on his drink. He hadn't expected Prolo to say something like that, and quickly waved his hand. "Cough, cough, Prolo, stop joking around. Let's get back to business. What exactly do you want to learn?"
Seeing that Dean Bruce was serious, Prolo's expression shifted, and he became more earnest. "Professor, I want to learn the 'Two Tigers' spell and its gestures. I think it's really fascinating, and Alice and Delina Reba have both learned it. I'd like to try it too."
Dean Bruce felt a bit speechless. He hadn't expected the spell he had made up on a whim to stir so much interest among his students. However, since Prolo had already asked, he couldn't exactly refuse.
"Alright," Dean Bruce said with a sigh, "Since you're so eager to learn, I'll teach you. But you have to understand, this spell doesn't actually have any real magical power. It's just a way of practicing and understanding magic."
Prolo Hawthorne nodded, "I understand, Professor. I just want to use it to improve my magical abilities."
Seeing that Prolo was serious, Dean Bruce didn't say anything more. He began guiding Prolo Hawthorne through the movements of the "Two Tigers" spell and had him recite the incantation.
Prolo Hawthorne was very focused, making sure every movement was precise, and each syllable was pronounced clearly and correctly. Dean Bruce watched Prolo with a sense of satisfaction, seeing how diligently he was practicing.
The mysterious figure removed their mask, revealing a familiar face— it was the undercover student they had captured and then released some time ago.
"Professor Dean, I'm actually an undercover agent planted by the Black Hole Organization within the academy," the student said urgently. "But I've decided to switch sides and help you fight the Black Hole Organization."
Dean Bruce was taken aback. He looked into the student's earnest eyes, and for a moment, he felt conflicted. But he remained on guard. "Why should I believe you?"
The student reached into their cloak and pulled out a black token. "This is an identity token of the Black Hole Organization. I'm giving it to you as a sign of my sincerity."
Dean Bruce took the token and studied it carefully. After a moment, he confirmed that it was indeed a legitimate Black Hole Organization token. He couldn't help but think, if this student really had decided to switch allegiances, their strength would be significantly increased.
"Alright, I believe you," Dean Bruce said, nodding. "But you need to tell me what new information you have about the Black Hole Organization."
The student quickly responded, "I've recently learned that the Black Hole Organization is planning a large-scale attack. Their target may be the Magic Academy. They intend to use a powerful dark magic to destroy the academy's defense systems."
Dean Bruce's face drained of color. "What? They dare to strike at the academy? We must act immediately to stop their plan!"
The undercover student nodded. "Yes, Professor Dean. I've told you everything I know. The rest is up to you now."
Dean Bruce patted the student on the shoulder. "You did well. We will remember your contribution. For now, go into hiding. After everything is over, we'll take care of your identity."
The undercover student nodded gratefully. "Thank you, Professor Dean. I'll wait for your news."
With that, the student turned and left Dean Bruce's dorm. Dean Bruce watched him disappear into the distance, a strong sense of responsibility rising within him. He knew that they were about to face a serious challenge, but they had to fight for the peace and stability of the magical world.
He immediately took out a communication crystal and contacted Nozer Hawthorne, Krupp, and the others to share the information the undercover student had provided. Everyone was alarmed by the seriousness of the situation, and they decided to hold an emergency meeting to discuss their next steps.
The meeting was held in a secret chamber within the academy. Dean Bruce, Nozer Hawthorne, Krupp, Prolo Hawthorne, Alice, and Delina Reba were all in attendance.
Dean Bruce started by carefully recounting the information provided by the undercover student, then looked around at everyone. "The situation is urgent. We must act immediately to prevent the Black Hole Organization's attack."
Nozer Hawthorne frowned. "If the Black Hole Organization is daring enough to target the academy, it means they've made thorough preparations. We must be cautious and not underestimate them."
Krupp nodded in agreement. "Exactly. We can't just sit back and wait. We need to take the initiative and disrupt their plans."
Prolo Hawthorne spoke up eagerly. "Professor, let me go! I'll stop their plans! I'm sure I can—"
Dean Bruce shook his head. "No, Prolo. You're still too young and lack the experience. This mission is too dangerous for you."
Prolo Hawthorne's enthusiasm dimmed, but he nodded understandingly. "I understand, Professor. Then I'll stay here at the academy and make sure no one causes any trouble."
"Dean," Nozer Hawthorne spoke again, his tone cautious, "How can you be sure what the student said is true? After all, he's an undercover agent—a traitor. We need to be extra careful. If we've been deceived, the consequences could be disastrous."