They cautiously made their way through layers of magical traps and the guards' defenses, finally reaching the outskirts of the core area. However, just as they were about to move further, the sound of hurried footsteps suddenly echoed through the air.
"Not good, enemies are coming!" Dean Bruce whispered. "Everyone, hide quickly!"
The group hastily took cover in the nearby shadows, holding their breath as they waited for the enemies to approach. Soon, several members of the Black Hole Organization appeared in their line of sight, heading straight for the core area.
"It seems they're heading to reinforce Shasbia," Dean Bruce said. "We need to deal with them quickly."
With that, he quietly followed behind, preparing to ambush the Black Hole members. However, just as he was about to strike, a familiar voice suddenly rang in his ear.
"Dean, watch out!"
Dean Bruce turned towards the voice and saw Prolo Hawthorne standing behind him, looking anxiously at him.
"Prolo? How did you get here?" Dean Bruce asked in surprise.
"I caused a distraction with Krupp, and we took the chance to infiltrate the core area," Prolo Hawthorne explained. "When I saw you were in danger, I came to help."
"I see," Dean Bruce nodded. "You arrived just in time. Let's take care of these guys together."
"Okay, Dean."
Dean Bruce and Prolo Hawthorne quietly approached the Black Hole members, ready to strike. But just then, a sudden surge of magical energy shook the air, forcing them to immediately take cover.
"What's going on?" Dean Bruce whispered.
Prolo Hawthorne shook his head. "I don't know, but it can't be good."
They crouched in the shadows, carefully observing their surroundings. A group of mages, wearing extravagant robes, suddenly appeared in the core area and engaged in a fierce battle with the Black Hole members.
"That's..." Dean Bruce's eyes widened in recognition. "The Herbert family!"
"The Herbert family? What are they doing here?" Prolo Hawthorne asked, shocked.
Dean Bruce frowned. "I don't know, but they've arrived at the perfect time. Maybe we can use their strength to destroy this secret base together."
With that, he silently moved closer to the Herbert family's mages, planning to make contact with them. But just as he was about to approach, a member of the Black Hole Organization spotted his movements and immediately charged toward him.
"Watch out!" Prolo Hawthorne shouted, swinging his wand to block the attack from the Black Hole Organization member.
Taking advantage of the moment, Dean Bruce rushed forward and joined the Herbert family's mages.
"Who are you? What are you doing here?" one of the Herbert family mages asked, eyeing them warily.
Dean Bruce quickly explained, "We're teachers and students from the Magic Academy, here to destroy this secret base. We can cooperate."
Dean Bruce nodded. "You're right. We can't give up. Now, let's destroy this base so it can't be used by the Black Hole Organization again."
"But, Dean, how do we destroy it? This place looks... complicated," Prolo Hawthorne said, looking uncertain.
Dean Bruce paused for a moment, thinking carefully.
He surveyed the room, his gaze falling on the intricate magical devices and runes around them. After a brief moment of contemplation, a plan began to form in his mind.
"Listen up, everyone," Dean Bruce said, his voice steady. "The core of this secret base is surrounded by magical devices and runes. If we try to destroy them forcefully, it could trigger unpredictable consequences. However, we can use these devices and runes to turn them into a force to destroy the base."
"How do we do that?" one of the Herbert family mages asked curiously.
Dean Bruce pointed to the devices and runes around them. "You see, these devices and runes are all interconnected. Together, they form a vast magical network. If we can find the control center for this network, we might be able to take control of the magic powering the entire base."
"Control center? Where is it?" Prolo Hawthorne asked.
Dean Bruce shook his head. "I don't know the exact location, but we can split up and search. Once you find the control center, let the others know immediately. Don't act recklessly."
Everyone nodded in agreement and began to scatter, searching the area. Dean Bruce, along with Prolo Hawthorne, cautiously followed the path of the magical devices, carefully exploring each section.
After a challenging search, they finally found the control center hidden in a secluded room. It was a massive crystal sphere, glowing with an eerie light, surrounded by intricate runes and pathways.
"We've found it!" Dean Bruce exclaimed excitedly. "Prolo, stay here and keep watch. I'll go inform the others."
Prolo Hawthorne nodded. "Alright, Dean. Be careful."
Dean Bruce quickly retraced his steps and told the others about the discovery of the control center. Upon hearing the news, they all hurried to the location.
When they arrived at the room, they saw Dean Bruce standing in front of the control center, carefully examining the runes and pathways.
"Dean, what do we do now?" Krupp asked.
Dean Bruce paused for a moment, deep in thought, then said, "I need your help to connect these runes and pathways in a specific order. That way, we can take control of the entire base's magical energy and convert it into a force that will destroy the base."
Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement. They began working together, following Dean Bruce's instructions to link the runes and pathways. After a lot of effort, they finally completed the task.
"Alright," Dean Bruce said, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "Now we can activate the device."
With that, he began chanting a complex incantation. As the words left his mouth, the crystal ball on the control center began to glow with blinding light, illuminating the entire room as if it were daytime.
"We did it!" Dean Bruce shouted, his voice filled with excitement. "Everyone, get out of here! The base is about to be destroyed!"
Hearing this, the group rushed toward the exit. However, just then, a violent tremor shook the ground, and the entire base began to collapse.
"This is bad, run!" Dean Bruce shouted, signaling for everyone to move. They desperately raced toward the exit. After a fierce struggle, they finally managed to escape the crumbling base.