True Tycoon Her Empire, Her Rules

Chapter 182

When Winnie’s eyes narrowed slightly at the mention of a dragon, Hobson was utterly baffled.

“What is it?” he blurted, glancing skyward. “A dragon up there?”

“No dragons,” Winnie replied curtly. “It’s a verbal snare.”

To the average Joe, snakes don’t fly, and the sky is no place for them. So when you’re asked if that thing zipping through the clouds is a snake or a dragon, most folks, like Hobson just now, would bet on the dragon.

And the question was posed to get Drake to bite and say “dragon.”

“There’s an old wives‘ tale about the sea dragon, Winnie explained. ‘Legends say, when a sea dragon aims to transform into a dragon, it calls down thunderstorms. Then it seeks a chosen one to bestow a title upon it, asking if they see a snake or a dragon. If the chosen one says ‘snake,‘ the serpent’s attempt fails. It faces divine punishment and reverts to its serpent form. But if the answer is ‘dragon,‘ it ascends successfully.”

Hobson scoffed, thinking she was pulling his leg. ‘Since when can beasts become anything more than what they are, let alone dragons? Plus, we haven’t had a drop of rain in months, let alone thunderstorms.”

Winnie chose to ignore Hobson’s commentary, turning instead to Drake. “Did you give him an answer?”

“Not a word,” Drake replied, his voice cold as ice.

Winnie wasn’t the only one to sniff out the verbal trap. Drake was known for his caution. Not one out of place word had ever been wrung from him by the most tenacious of reporters, let alone from the mouth of some kid.

What Drake hadn’t anticipated was that the other party, upon receiving no answer, would be so bold as to prevent him from leaving, effectively trapping him in this spot.

When Winnie heard that the failed sea dragon was blocking their path, she was somewhat surprised. Not that she feared it would harm Drake–with his gold aura, the heavens themselves wouldn’t let harm come to him.

But perhaps it was that very aura that made the creature so stubbornly set on Drake, thinking if it could get just one word of endorsement, it might soar to the skies the very next second.

Thinking this over, Winnie told Hobson and Drake to stay put while she went to confront the sea dragon.

Yet, she couldn’t help but wonder. Beings capable of successfully transforming usually possessed considerable power, and this one seemed too skittish, hiding behind trees–hardly the behavior of a powerful creature.

sight of the figure behind the tree, Winnie

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youthful appearance belying his true nature. The sea dragon’s human form

him a sea dragon was a stretch.

imperfect. Scales glittered on his neck and jaw, and tucked under his unruly hair were two short, straight horns–the distinctive mark of a

you’ve only just transformed?” Winnie inquired, her tone softening.

sensing the aura of a mystic about her, grew cautious. He didn’t answer her question, instead posturing defensively, “I’ve not succeeded in my quest, nor have I harmed

Young and seemingly aware of the rules.

take human form, clearly not

boy looked like a child who, just learning to walk, was eager to run

I wanted to rehearse. And that man, with so much gold aura–what if he’d given me his blessing? I could’ve skipped centuries of

big.was still in vogue, even for a sea dragon. Who

a rehearsal and was at a loss for words

rest.

sea dragon was not only juvenile but

she asked, “The man has already refused to bless you. Why hold him back?”

a look that screamed “are

him slip away?”

onto the magnate until the time was ripe for another blessing?

was futile. She pulled out a Thunder Charm, brandishing it as a warning, “Scram. He’s not for the likes of

Charm warily, stepping back but still

I just keep him in the mountains with

chance,” she said

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boy looked torn. “Then, can I