By the end of the day, he and the group had procured a nondescript two story mansion within the Second Ring of Stonewall. Of which there were four rings, with the first used by the Commonfolk, the second reserved for the Merchant and Adventurer Quarter, the third for the Lords and Ladies, and the fourth for the Regent and his kin. From here, there were numerous offers of people desiring employment with himself and the others, but he waved them away stating that he will summon his own help. Literally.

Within a few moments of tinkering with his Class, Karastak had summoned a whole retinue of individuals who would serve as his servants until their dismissal. Ones who held absolute loyalty towards himself, the girls, Zabartik, and Kirin. The last one surprised the group when it was revealed that the Dragon-horse had a secondary, raven haired Human-like form. Thereby granting him clothing in the form of a Kendogi and Hakama combo, and his weapon of choice was a curved longsword called a Katana.

Regardless, the servants consisted of a head Butler and Maid with a dozen underlings for each, twenty cook staff, half a dozen retainers and groundskeepers, and a small army of thirty Guardsmen. All totaled as 88 summoned individuals that were only loyal to themselves and none other, though not for lack of trying by those who wished to have the newest Hero of Stonewall under their thumb. Especially by the following evening when someone tried to switch one of his guards with another, only to find them impaled on the Second Ring's gate with a note stating, “I am not amused.”

Upon the morrow of the second day, the group headed off towards the Adventurer's Guild hosted within the city. Where they would each become one of the many members and be free of any obligations directed towards them as the supposed Heroes of Stonewall. Though, by this time the whole of the city had heard of them, which annoyed Karastak to a mild degree.

The group's attire consisted of Karastak and Zabartik wearing a faded blue robe, Puella a pink one, and Lupa and Kirin wearing the Kendogi and Hakama outfit. The white haired girl desired it after claiming she had one in her previous life. Not wanting to argue, the illusory Human rolled his eyes and had a pair made for her, along with a pair of wooden sandals.

Upon entering the building, however, the world inside stopped and stared at the group as they approached the counter. Of whom were greeted by a smiling, collared Elf woman who was well endowed despite her small frame. “Greetings,” she beamed a smile which would make a lesser man drool and covet her, “What can I help you all with?”

“We came to register,” stated Karastak plainly, as he brought out five gold pieces for the fee.

“Oh,” her eyes brightened with recognition, as she dug out five clipboards and parchment before passing them out, “Of course, Heroes. Just need you all to fill out the sheets, and then we can begin with your tests. Though,” her glance fell onto the children who were staring unabashed at everything and everyone present, “the children won't be able to sign up until their 16th Name Day. It's our policy after all.”

“A pity,” he mumbled slowly with a frown at the word “Heroes”, placing two of the coins into a pouch beneath his robes. After which he then took the boards off to one side, where they found a table to write their names and copied their Status Page where applicable. However, they didn't copy it exactly, as it would cause quite the uproar within the Guild. Therefore, they halves those stats that were far too great for the average man, but were allowed to go all out during their tests.

“Um... Mr. Kar?” Puella tugged on his robes, and was lifted onto his lap.

“Yes, Puella?” he pat her head as he continued to write.

“Um... Are we not going to be Adven-cher-wers?”

Behind them, his ears picked up another group covering their mouths as they awed at her query. Instead of commenting on them, he spoke softly, “It's their policy to not allow children of your ages to join. You need to be at least double of how old you are, understand?”

She pouted and nodded before snuggling into his lap until his sheet was complete. Whereupon her body was lifted into his arms as he leaned over Zabartik, helping him to complete the sheet before moving on to Kirin. After which he took them to the front where their fees were paid and were made to follow a small woman through a door.

“This way, please. We'll need to check your fighting capabilities,” she pointed off towards a door which lied ahead of them, then stood off to the side as it was opened to reveal a large, ruined stadium. All around them were grass and dirt with many craters scattered about, as well as a long shack containing miscellaneous arms and armours for those who have not brought their own, nor could afford them. Whereas the group themselves need not worry about such things, as the group's leader was capable of creating them with his magicks. “OI! Ferguard! You have more applicants, so get your lazy ass off the bench!”

“Bah! Who ye callin' lazy, ya dote!” growled a burly Dwarf with salt and pepper coloured hair and beard adorning his head. One that was braided into some sort of intricate design they were not privy to. He approached them with a slight limp in his step and a cane clutched in his right hand. Upon reaching them, the one they assumed to be called Ferguard hawked his throat and spat off to the side with, “Bah! Jest a bunch o' tallies again.

“So? Which one of ye are going ta be tested?”

“We are,” Karastak pointed to himself, Kirin, and Zabartik.

“Warrior, Warrior, and Squishy,” he jeered at the trio, pointing at the Shade, the guised Human, and finally stopping upon on the illusory Human, “I bet ye don't even know how ta fight without yer mana,” who then frowned as Karastak summoned up his diamond spiked staff without a word as he glanced down at the infirmed Dwarf. Whatever,” he waved at them to follow as his body turned around towards the centre of the field where a pair of chained Ogres sat munching on a whole cow each.

“Ye two Warriors are to dispatch them, and ye,” he pointed at the illusory Human with a glare, then shouted as the other nodded to both Zabartik and Kirin who dashed off towards the creatures in the field, “What the fuck ye two think yer doin'?”

“You should sit back and enjoy the show, good Dwarf,” rumbled Karastak as the Shade leapt into the air without a sound, whilst the guised Human leaned closer to the ground as he wrapped his right hand around the hilt of his Katana. “These two know their craft, and will dispatch your creatures momentarily. However, you'll need to find something for me to slay, else you'll be out of any teaching material.”

At this point, the children had resummoned their rabbit, and were happily giggling as it hopped around the field behind them. Whereas the pair before them had connected with one of the Ogres, cutting into its right shoulder and abdomen. It roared out in pain, sending Kirin backwards with a back handed swing just as Zabartik growled out something indiscernible from their position, but pulled his Greatsword down and back until it was free.

Thus causing the roar to become higher in pitch as the creature's blood sloshed across the ground, and the other had finally become aware of its companion's distress. To which it roared a challenge as it charged towards them with arms outstretched, eyes with burning hatred, and froth about the corners of its mouth.

“Shit,” Ferguard's eyes widened as he fumbled for something underneath his beard, but was stopped when the tip of the diamond spike rested upon his shoulder. Looking back with obvious fear over the situation, he growled out, “What ye think yer doin'?”

“I should be asking you the same question,” Karastak commented in a smooth manner as his eyes drooped towards the Dwarf.

“I'm callin' fer reinforcements. The Ogre's rampaging and needs to be put down fast afore it kills yer companions and turns its attention to the outside.”

“You won't be doing that,” a thin smile stretched itself across his face, “and neither will they perish. Else I'll become deeply disappointed in them. So just watch, and if they require assistance, then they'll have to ask for it.”

“What?!”

“Just. Watch,” he pointed at the scene, which caused the Dwarf to widen his eyes a little more. For the first Ogre was already cooling on the ground next to its partially eaten meal. Whereas the latter was roaring in pain as it had suffered scores upon scores of quick cuts across its legs and torso. Off to one side of the berserk creature was its left hand, and Zabartik was busy trying to sever its left with his strikes as Kirin dashed around on the ground, slicing and cutting into its flesh with a slight smile.

More roaring continued across the field, to the point that the children and the rabbit bumped into Karastak's back. Who then turned around to smile and stroke the large nose a few times before returning his gaze to the scene before them. One which took a turn for the better, as they spied the smaller of the two Warriors was shouting up at the Shade to strike at something they couldn't see from their distance.

However, its roar turned to a scream of pain, as it toppled backward, the left leg severed at the knee whilst its blood showered the air around them. After which, the Shade leapt onto the creature's abdomen, piercing the flesh almost all the way through with its blade before roaring something in its language and running towards the Ogre's head, dragging the Greatsword from behind.

Thus, ending the second Ogre's life.

*

“Bravo,” Karastak clapped as the pair reached them with a smile across their features, “You both have done well, but now you need a bath.” Their smiles faded as he turned towards a dumbstruck Dwarf who gaped at the pair before him, “Where are your washrooms? Or perhaps a buck of water for the two would suffice.”

“Huh? What?” Ferguard stumbled out the words, blinking slowly.

“Washroom?”

“Oh...” he waved off towards the eastern side of the field which held a well and trough for any Horsemen who wanted to test their mounts' riding capabilities, “Over there...” The Dwarf had become subdued from the scene, his mind whirling over the capabilities of the two Warriors, and shivered at what the caster of the group could do.

“So?” a sing-song voice flitted past his head, tickling his ears, “Are there any left for myself, good Dwarf?”

“Huh?” he flinched somewhat at the illusory Human's inquiry before rubbing the back of his neck, “Yeah. We got a beastie ye can try yer hand at.” A small part of himself knew he shouldn't even think about bringing this beast to the field, but after such a display of prowess from the pair before? He had to wonder what the caster was capable of doing.

However, just as Ferguard was about to call for someone to bring it out, his body stopped as his eyes bugged out. For the Dwarf heard and saw something impossible.

“Little Mother,” Karastak called out, his eyes trailing upwards to his scalp, and was rewarded with a muffled squeak as a pair of tiny red eyes appeared, “Are you and your Swarm hungry?” Again, another squeak, but it was followed up by more tiny voices, and he smiled whilst pointing off towards the carcasses of the Ogres several hundred metres away.

“These are my gifts to you and your Swarm, Little Mother. So go. Feast. DEVouR yOUr pRey!” After which a small sea of black squeaked in joyous chorus from underneath his hair. A little white bat burst free of the strands then, and was immediately followed up by one hundred others, before rushing off towards the bodies. Whereupon they began to devour the bodies until nothing was left, whilst the Human grinned with a manic look about himself.