In Khrysalis, we often get NPCs who follow us around and give us boosts. What if there was a quest to get school specific companions which give us these boosts, and maybe even join us in battle. this would be no PVP of course. I know that this conflicts with the idea of minions, though.
This seems like exactly what Pirate101 does, where you help someone, they join your crew and then help you in fights. This doesn't seem like a good idea, sorry