Mathew drove his personal vehicle with Agnox and Cherry as passengers. It was going to be a busy day with the two of them and their progressions. He also knew he had a world quest reward waiting for him to claim.

He was foolish to wait this long to claim the free guards. However, a small part of him was reluctant to have a guard force that was given by The System walking around his zone. However, every entity that came from outside Earth so far was independent. If it had ulterior motives, they were their own, not The Systems.

So, he was ready to acquire a free and loyal guard force. He would take care of them first while Cherry went over her choice of the Level 15 class power. Mathew emphasized either a ranged heal or an offensive spell.

Cherry didn’t seem to have any idea of what she wanted, and would make a choice in the moment. Mathew was going to give her some room of her own choice. It worked with Agnox, so why shouldn’t he extend the same courtesy to Cherry.

Agnox had already declared his own rank-up choices. There were no Upgrades, and decided to let Mathew see them after selecting his new class. Mathew was sure that Agnox would just receive the same class he already had, like Mathew did.

Some minor changes in the wording of the class description along with the bonus stat points will be a strong boost to his power. Not to mention the promise of new slots for his Abilities, Skills, and Spells.

Once Agnox was Level 25, Mathew had zero doubts Agnox would blossom in power. Doubling down on his fire powers and swordsmanship skills. His only worry was the fact his profession is locked at unranked.

Hopefully that might change over time. Even if the wording of the profession said it never would.

Upon reaching the area of the Hearth Crystal, Mathew walked toward it and didn’t pay any attention to the small guard unit watching over it. They seemed to be on perfect guard. All of them scan around the area.

Mathew wondered if they were just putting on extra effort since he was here, or if they really were this serious all the time. He was betting on the former.

“Okay Cherry. Go ahead and take care of your things. I’m going to figure out the quest reward while you do so.” Mathew said as he placed a hand on the crystal.

The large red crystal was warm to the touch. A prompt appeared asking if he wished to receive the reward from the World Dungeon Quest. He accepted it.

A portal appeared, swirling with hues of black and white. From it a ten foot tall figure clad in heavy steel armor walked out. Mathew knew that this was the armor that Zack would one day want to wear. Looking at it made Mathew sweat with how much it could weigh.

The figure was humanoid. It sported two large shoulder polums. The armor was built into solid thick sheets. The helmet was round and had two glowing lights where the eyes slits were.

“Guardian Prime reports to designator Mathew McGonald. Acknowledge.” Its voice had an echo and a hint of classic robotic speech.

“I am Mathew McGonald.” Mathew stated

“Confirmed. You currently have: 1 Guardian Prime, Four Guardian Elites, and One Hundred Guardian Soldiers under your command. What are your orders?” As he finished his statement, more heavily armored figures started to march out of the portal. After twenty five, one unique looking suit of armor marched behind them.

“What can you do?” Mathew asked very clearly.

“All One Hundred and Five Guardians are under your sole command. We are here to provide protection to Blue Oaks and only the zones you command. We can not act outside of the area unless a direct threat is present near the borders and within our reach. We do not require sleep nor food. However, we are fully dependent upon mana. It is suggested you designate a recharging section for us.”

“As for capabilities, Guardian Prime is rated as a Level 50. Guardian elites are rated Level 40. Each Guardian Soldier is rated at Level 30. We excel at controlling and removing problems according to your orders.”

Mathew nodded, listening. “Combat capabilities. Abilities, Skills, Spells?”

“All Guardian Soldiers are equipped with a basic set of powers to fulfill basic duties. Each Guardian Elite is suited into one of four roles: Destroy, Defend, Detain, and Determine. Each Elite is capable of directly controlling up to ten soldiers. I myself am their leader. My skill set is about ensuring each Guardian fulfills the duties you set them to do.”

“How free thinking are you? If I command you, or any of the Guardians to kill themselves, will they do it?”

“No. Guardians will die for you, but will not die for your own amusement. We serve Blue Oaks and its Hearth Crystal Owner. Killing ourselves does not let us carry out that duty. As for free thinking, I am the only one with a pseudo-soul capable of minor intelligence to adapt to enemy tactics.”

Mathew was impressed. He couldn’t have asked for a better reward. “What about when you become obsolete? I’m over Level 50, soon many enemies will be.”

“Our power scales with that of Blue Oaks and its leader. Outside of that, I am not privy to such knowledge.”

“Well then, how much do you know about Blue Oaks? The population, laws, what area our zones sit over, or even the dungeons we control.” Mathew asked.

“Depends on how much you are willing to allow me to see. Currently, I am limited to what I can visually see and what you tell me.”

Mathew thought it over. “I give you access to everything.”

“Acknowledge.” Prime stated and it’s white eyes flickered for a few moments.

“Information assimilated. Awaiting orders.”

Mathew chose to take some control over the Guardians. “I want a unit of Guardians at both Dungeons we currently control. With one Elite at the Volkar Dungeon as it was recently attacked. I want an Elite in the New Watago area. The other two Elites are to remain here. You are to only take orders from me. You are to protect Blue Oak’s resources no matter what. That means me, the dungeons, and this Hearth Crystal. Anything else I currently leave up to you to value and how to go about doing things. Stay out of the human guards way, and work on integrating with them. You are equal in rank with Sgt. Mope. Report to me if you need anything.”

“Acknowledgement. Protocols implemented. Time until all units are stationed: 9 Hours, 42 Minutes, and 13 Seconds. I will report to you once everything is in place for an accurate report.”

All the Guaridans’s eyes flashed once and started to march off. The human guards started at Mathew with bewilderment. “What the fuck are those!”

“Your counter parts.” Mathew said as he watched all but three Guardians march off. The ones that stayed behind took up positions around the HC. One of them turned to the humans, “Who is in charge?”

One of them raised a hand. “Affirmative, you have command over us until the next unit cycles in or higher ranking directive takes precedence.”

“Boss if you are done messing with your toys, it’s time!” Agnox half shouted. Mathew looked back at his imp, “Can’t you be patient?”

Cherry looked at Agnox, “I agree. You waited this long, a few more moments won’t change anything.”

“What did you get anyways for your Level 15 Cher?” Agnox asked.

“My name is Cherry, not Cher. And I had a few choices, but after thinking about it, I need an offensive spell that can grow in a good direction. I picked [Thornage]. A spell that lets me shoot thorns. The thorns are physical. I believe in the future if I get stronger plant control capabilities, I can use that spell through them.”

Mathew was impressed with her forethought. “Good choice Cherry. You want to stay and watch, or head off with more of your own thing.”

Cherry looked at the Hearth Crystal and back at Agnox. “I want to stay and watch. This way I can know what to expect at level 25 for myself.”

Mathew nodded and put a hand on the Hearth Crystal as did Agnox. In a blink, Mathew returned to the gray void. Standing there was both Agnox and Cherry. Mathew didn’t expect the dryad to end up here as well, nor did she.

“Where are we?” Cherry asked.

As she did, four different versions of Agnox flew down and landed in front of them. Mathew was surprised at that. Last time it was only blue screens. As far as he knew, he was the only person to have mirror versions of himself appear in their rank-up.

Agnox looked them over. On the far left was a taller version of himself. Reaching to Mathew’s chest. Currently, Agnox was only waist-high.

The taller Agnox sported slimmer armor than what Agnox currently used. In each hand was a sword. One was lit with red flames, the other blue flames. This was labeled Twin Flame Swordsman (Rare).

The next one was an imp that was a little taller than Agnox. The key difference is the armor. Instead of the red infernal metal, it was literal flames. Underneath the flames, Mathew could see something solid that would be the normal armor he imagined. The imp bore a red flamed sword and had Jeffery standing behind him. The wolf wore his newest set of armor and flames rolled off of him. The label Flaming Knight (Rare)

The third imp had a sword and shield. The shield seemed to be made of some sort of black crystal while the sword was covered in black flames. This imp also had Jeffery behind him, but the wolf was covered head to toe in black crystal armor. They both had a weight about them. Mathew saw the class was called Infernal Warrior (Rare).

Lastly, the imp on the far right was Agnox with wings of fire. A sword made entirely of flames was in his grasp. This imp seemed slimmer, more handsome. The imp pig-like face looked more human. The armor Agnox used to wear was replaced by a red cloth that flowed from his body. Two horns protruded from his head, both black. It was labeled Infernal Priest (Very Rare)

“So, which one are you thinking of, Agnox?” Mathew asked. Personally, he was leaning toward Twin Flame Swordsman. The blue flames gave him a feeling that echoed his [Frostrim Chains] Ability. It would pair well with Agnox being his melee fighter.

Agnox pointed to Flaming Knight. “That one.”

Mathew looked at it closer. Inspecting the description of the class.

Flaming Knight (Rare)

Your duty to protect and serve your Summoner is a core aspect of your personality. You depend upon him, as he depends upon you. This class is only available to those that are fully trusted by a superior that has skills in both fire and melee. A Flaming Knight is devoted to their path. A flame that never dies, a blade that never breaks, a bond that will last till the last ember is snuffed out.

+6 Dex, +5 Str, +4 Wis, + 4 Vit, +2 free stat points per level, and +3 Endurance due to binding with Mathew McGonald.

+1 Ability Slot, +1 Skill Slot

Skill Upgrade: [Light Armor] -> [Wrath Armor]

Mathew noticed it was very similar to Agnox’s previous class in wording. Just more focused on their bonded relationship.

The other class Twin Flame Swordsman was essentially the same. Stat wise it was more focused on Dexterity and Intelligence than this class's Dexterity and Strength focus.

“What is [Wrath Armor]?” Mathew asked, hoping the imp might know.

“No clue, but it’s better since I don’t wear light armor anymore. It’s more a medium style with how Zack makes it. Anything heavier and I can’t fly.”

Mathew looked down at Agnox. He saw that his familiar seemed determined. “Are you sure? I thought you would want to go more offensively burst.”

“I do, but this class has something the other doesn’t,” Agnox said pointing behind his mirror copy. “Jeffery is in it. Which means whatever the class holds involves him. I just know it will pan out just how I want it to.”

Mathew did find it odd the infernal wolf was in two of the class choices. The other one had both Agnox and Jeffery clad in heavy crystalline armor. With its heavy stat focus on Endurance and Vitality, Mathew knew it was more defensive focused.

With Flaming Knight Mathew imagined it was a half and half of offensive and defensive prowess. Capitalizing on Agnox’s new Axiom as well as his older Axiom of Embers.

“Well, if that is what you think is best, we will pick it. Last chance to back out. Cherry, what’s your thought process.” Mathew asked her to keep her included so she didn’t feel left out.

“I don’t know. I agree that Agnox is making a good choice. All of them are. Rare rarity classes means you have a path and are on it. Picking a Very Rare means you are solidifying that path choice. I think waiting and not picking the Very Rare class is smart. The other three seem to be three versions of who he has been so far, at least as far as I have seen. Both his flames and his bond with Jeffery is represented. As well as his tenacity to protect you Mathew. It just depends on which role he wishes to capitalize on. The Flaming Knight feels like a good balance of the other two.”

“Exactly what I was thinking!” Agnox said proudly. “Couldn’t really articulate it, but that works for me!”

Mathew selected the class. Agnox was wreathed in flames as he physically changed slightly. Agnox opened his menu, and let out a whistle. “HA! I knew waiting to select my rank up for [Soul Bond Familiar] would change my choices! Even better with this choice.”

“Wait, what do you mean you waited? I thought you had two rank-ups?”

“I ranked up [Parry] and [Fire Bolt]. I didn’t upgrade [Soul Bond Familiar] because the choices were all mediocre. Being able to take damage for you isn’t a choice I want.” Agnox said as the gray void around them was replaced with the reality of Earth.

“Instead I can do this!” Agnox started to channel mana and nothing happened. Mathew looked at the imp, “What are you doing?”

“Hold on, it takes a few minutes.” Agnox said. His voice was slightly strained as he focused.

Mathew’s curiosity was replaced with shock as he felt his own mana move involuntarily. It was very subtle, similar to when he has Cherry or Agnox unsummoned. He waited patiently for five minutes.

The canine form of Jeffery appeared next to Agnox. “Woo! It worked!”

Mathew’s mouth was slightly open. “He can summon Jeffery?!