After surviving what could only be described as achaotic rollercoaster rideof a first year at Hogwarts, Raja returned to the orphanage in London. His arms were loaded with gifts, sweets, and enough charm to make even the sternest matron believe he had just come back from an intergalactic conference with celestial beings who bestowed upon him their blessings.

"Raja, dear, wheredidyou find all these wonderful things?" the Matron asked, eyes practically sparkling. It was as if she was looking at the reincarnation of an ancient deity rather than a 12-year-old boy.

"Oh, you know," Raja shrugged nonchalantly, flashing a grin that could disarm a tank. "Justpulling some strings." His voice oozed charisma.

The Matron, already half-convinced Raja was a noble-born prodigy, nodded sagely."Of course, of course,"she murmured."Only a true genius would manage such an enormous feat. And you're attending one of the most prestigious non-magical schools in the UK—only open to ancient noble house children and prodigious geniuses, after all."

Meanwhile, Raja wasn't thinking about how to maintain his saintly image. He was busy planning something far moredevious.Bigger plans, you see.

With the flick of his wrist and a laser-focus that made even Einstein look like a slacker, Raja spent an entire week absorbing everything there was to know about stocks, business administration, and American law. By the end of it, his head was so full of information, he could've written a textbook onhow to take over the world with a well-placed investment strategy.

But knowledge alone wasn't enough. He neededcapital.

And for that, Raja had aperfect plan.

Using hisEclipse Mirage, Raja created a flawless 12-year-old clone and left him in the orphanage. The clone's sole job was to walk around, chat with Matron, and make everyone believenothing had changed. Meanwhile, therealRaja began his metamorphosis. With a flash, he morphed into a 21-year-old Caucasian male—ready to wreak havoc in the underworld like some sort of real-lifeJames Bond meets Tony Starkhybrid.

MAYA, his AI assistant and sarcastic conscience, piped up."Master, you are technically an international criminal at this point."

Raja grinned like the cat who had just stolen the cream."Only if I get caught."

Without another word, he dived headfirst into the gritty, crime-infested backstreets of London, where the shadows whispered of smugglers, drug lords, and counterfeiters. Raja didn't need to speak to anyone directly. No, no—he simplyread their minds, like some sort of shady, brainy superhero.

In a matter of days, Raja had learned everything there was to know about London's darkest secrets—where corrupt businessmen hid their wealth,how to infiltrate high-stakes poker games, and most importantly,how to crack untraceable safes.

He wasn't just another thief, though. He was the mastermind of a revolution. And thus,"The Shadow"was born.

With the swiftness of a cat and the precision of a scalpel, Rajacleaned outvaults, liberated priceless art, and emptied safes in a way that made professional thieves weep with envy. He became a ghost in the machine, the ultimate enigma.

And as the money flooded in, Raja wasn't justrich. He wasloaded. With a capital 'L'.

Not content with merely stealing money, Raja decided to upgrade his skillset. You know, in case anyone decided to mess with him.

And so, in addition to his already impressiveEX-ranked intelligence, Raja became amaster marksman. With hisEX AdaptabilityandEX Control, he moved with the precision of a deadly predator. His reflexes were so sharp they could put John Wick to shame, and hisDanger Sensewas so heightened, he could dodge bullets from a machine gun with his eyes closed.

"MAYA," Raja said one day, casually flipping over a gangster's head and disarming him mid-air, "Your bullet-dodging skills have reached ridiculous levels."

"I know," he said with a smile, turning his back as a bullet whizzed just inches away from his face.

By the end of the month, Raja had enough cash tobuy a small country. Instead, he decided to fundevery orphanage in the UK.

After all, why let corrupt businessmen have all the fun when you could be doinggoodwith your money?

With his fake passport, new identity, and a reputation that was growing faster than a caffeine addict's heart rate, Raja boarded a plane toAmerica. First stop?Las Vegas, baby.

He walked into thebiggest casino in the city, like a man who owned the world (because he kind of did at this point). Casually, he inserted a single dollar into a slot machine.

Ding ding ding!

JACKPOT.

Acool $500,000shot out of the machine like a neon fountain of cash. The casino's security guards, wearing the kind of expressions usually reserved for people who'd just found out their pet hamster had learned to moonwalk, immediately started eyeing him suspiciously.

The next day, Raja strolled up to ablackjack tablewith $10,000.

By the end of the night, he walked away withanother $500,000.

The Casino Manager, his face twitching uncontrollably, muttered,"Sir... we're going to have to ban you."

Raja gave him a friendly wave, as though he was being excused from detention. "Understandable. Have a great day."

And just like that, he disappeared into the Las Vegas night like the shadow he had become.

Raja's next target?New York City. He wasn't just here to win money in casinos. No, this time, he was building an empire.

He had his eye on two of the brightest and most ambitious women in the financial world: one was a sharp-as-a-tackstockbrokerand the other was a brilliantlawyer—both in their early 30s. Raja's goal? To charm the socks off of them and get them to build a global empire with him.

"MAYA," Raja mused, "Is this manipulation?"

MAYA sighed with the weariness of a thousand worlds."Master, this is technically manipulation."

Raja grinned. "Then this istechnicallybusiness."

Over the course of several weeks, Raja watched their every move. He learned their routines, their favorite coffee spots, their most embarrassing moments at corporate parties. Eventually, he was invited to dinner. And over anRichest Indian dinner, Raja laid out hismaster plan.

"I want to create an empire," he said, leaning back and twirling his wine glass like a supervillain. "I havecapital. You haveskills. Let's build somethinglegendary."

The women were intrigued.

"How... exactly did you get this much money?" the lawyer asked, eyeing him skeptically.

Raja smiled enigmatically. "I have my ways."

And just like that, with a firm handshake and a mysterious smile,The Shadow Corporationwas born.

Withinthree months, Raja's partners becamehousehold namesin the financial world. And Raja, from the shadows, ensured their rise was uninterrupted. Anyone who dared sabotage them? They mysteriously vanished. Poof. Gone. No trace.

Soon, people whispered about theQueens of Wall Street, but what they didn't realize was that Raja was the one pulling all the strings.

With everything in place, Raja decided it was time to return to the UK. Before leaving, he turned to his partners and said, "I'll be unreachable until Christmas. Hold the fort."

They agreed, albeit a little confused.

And just like that, Raja vanished, leaving behind only the faintest scent of expensive cologne and the faintest echo of a laugh that sounded suspiciously like asupervillain.

Upon returning to the UK, Raja transformed back into his 12-year-old form. He casually walked back into the orphanage, acting like he hadn't just pulled off the greatest heist of the decade.

MAYAsighed in the back of his mind."Master, your double life is becoming dangerously chaotic."

Raja smiled, unbothered. "I call it efficient."

Finally, withsecond year at Hogwartslooming on the horizon, Raja decided it was time for aDiagon Alleyadventure. He strolled into the Leaky Cauldron with a grin, looking forward to seeing what his wizarding friends had been up to.

"Time to see what my magical friends have been doing," he muttered with a smirk.

To Be Continued...

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com