Hidden Spark (Dark Magic Enforcer Book 6) by Al K. Line Page B

teachings.
    People worshiped him, many despised him for what he'd helped bring to the human world, yet more thought of him as a Savior. A man that was no mere man, but a deity, a prophet. Dragon. Loved, despised, scorned and adored, you couldn't get away from the fact that everything about Dragon was comparable to all other religions throughout the ages.
    Rikka had taught me much of Dragon, tales of his exploits, of when he was a youth and first discovered magic in a remote corner of the Finnish wilderness. I guess this is why so many of the powerful ones come from Finland—the legends of the first magical man are strong there, always have been.
    Rikka was about as pragmatic as you could get, yet even he believed some of the tales, and swore by the teachings. Heck, according to him all he learned came directly from Dragon, passed on from wizard to wizard. Although, how much of that was true I had my doubts, certainly after what I'd learned of Rikka's lineage in Japan.
    Yet there was no doubt in my mind. This was him. The man they called Dragon. A wizard once, but surpassing what we think of as a wizard in every way. Not even a mage, but a sage.
    A true sage, of which there are few, not only practices magic, but studies it, knows all there is to know, at least for humans, and most importantly understands it. Sages are adept like no other, can wield mighty forces, bend the elements and unknowable powers to their will from the realms that have no human names, and are wise, continue their studies until the day they die, and often long after.
    Sages break through the barrier between life and death and the very old ones, the ancient men that are far removed from everyday life and concerns, they have cheated death, no longer the final equalizer for such powerful ex-humans. They are the true immortals, refusing to die, working magic into their systems over extended millennia until they become true Hidden, creatures of magic. No longer human in any meaningful way.
    And here, leaning back on a mountain of gold in front of us, was the numero uno, the big kahuna, the first, the ultimo, the OMG it's really him, like yes, seriously, quick let's do a selfie, the ultimate man of magic himself.
    Dragon.
    "Fancy a cup of tea?" Dragon asked. To be honest, I expected something rather more dramatic, but then, I was thirsty.
    "Yes please. Got any sugar?" Hey, he started it.
    "Of course, but milk's a right bugger to get down here. I don't know what it is they do to their cows, but it doesn't taste right. But I have some of the good stuff," he said, and winked. "They wouldn't dare fob me off with anything but full fat."
    "I bet." I didn't know what to say. I was lost for words. It doesn't happen often, as usually I talk before my brain's had a chance to warn me I'm about to say something dumb, but this was awesome!
    "Don't just stand there, Mithnite, go get the chairs," Dragon snapped at the befuddled lad.
    "What? Eh? Who's this?" he asked, turning to me.
    "It's Dragon. You know. Him. Mr. Magic himself."
    Mithnite's eyes widened in wonder. He would have been taught of him, every good teacher would tell his students of the mythical man, and as I watched him go through a series of expressions, settling on awe, it was clear his studies had been thorough.
    "Um, where are they?"
    Before Dragon could answer, Urrad made an appearance, looking surprised that we'd made it this far. Guess he had his orders to enter if we managed to defeat the ogre.
    "Urrad," snapped Dragon, "what took you so long? You know you're supposed to help anyone that makes it in."
    "Sorry," he said, sounding like such things had been going on for many years.
    "Get them a chair each. We can't have guests standing around like fools. It's rude."
    "Where are they?" he asked with a sigh, repeating Mithnite's question.
    "I don't know. Under the gold somewhere."
    Urrad looked around in dismay, and I didn't blame him.
    Everywhere was gold. Coins small and large, nuggets the size of a grain of