Tom's expression gradually froze, and he sneered.
"You really think you're the boss, huh?"
He clutched the money tighter to his chest, his eyes full of disdain.
"Don't you know that out here, it's all about fists, kid?"
Lisa also let out a cold laugh, her previously pitiful demeanor long gone.
"Who do you think you are? It's already enough that we're listening to a kid like you."
Another young man was even more direct, spitting on the ground.
"A snot-nosed kid trying to be the boss? I've wanted to beat you up for a long time."
Charlie watched them quietly, feeling incredibly helpless.
As an underage orphan, it certainly wasn't easy to survive in this run-down neighborhood.
But what could he do?
The Orphanage had no money to send him to school; without an education, background, or connections, even if he wanted to play the stock market with his foreknowledge, he'd still need startup capital.
The only way he could think of to accumulate funds was through illicit means.
He racked his brains, gathering a few people and, mimicking the triads in Hong Kong films, swore an oath of brotherhood, emphasizing loyalty.
He wanted to unite them and establish his own small gang.
But now it was clear he had been too naive.
Being 11 years old was a major drawback; in the eyes of this group, he was just a clever kid who could come up with ideas, to be used and then discarded.
Seeing Charlie remain silent, Tom thought he was scared and grew even more smug.
"You made us swear, 'Do you love your brothers or do you love gold?'"
He weighed the banknotes in his arms and grinned sinisterly.
"Of course, I love my brothers' gold even more."
The group burst into laughter, their voices echoing in the narrow alley.
The piercing laughter made Charlie's temples throb.
The feeling of being played for a fool filled him with anger.
He tried to suppress the rage in his heart, but that familiar restless sensation had already begun to churn in his chest.
Seeing this, Tom's eyes flashed with malice.
"What, not convinced?"
He rolled up his sleeves, revealing his muscular arms.
"Come on, let Big Brother teach you the rules of society."
With that, he raised his fist, ready to strike Charlie's face.
Just at this moment.
An invisible wave of energy erupted from Charlie.
It felt like a sudden gust of wind, or the shockwave of an earthquake.
Tom's fist stopped in mid-air, and he was pushed back by an unseen force, pinned tightly against the wall.
Not only him, but Lisa and the other young man were also similarly pressed, unable to move.
They opened their mouths wide, wanting to scream, but no sound came from their throats.
Their eyes were filled with fear and confusion.
What was happening?
This was not scientific!
Charlie slowly stood up, looking coldly at the three pinned against the wall.
After transmigrating, he had discovered that whenever he became emotional, such power would erupt from him.
Although he couldn't actively control it, nor did he know the source of this power, it always protected him.
This was also why he dared to go out and make money at such a young age.
Charlie walked step by step towards Tom.
"Clatter."
"Clatter."
His footsteps were exceptionally clear in the silent alley.
Tom wanted to struggle, but his body completely disobeyed him; he could only watch helplessly as Charlie approached.
He felt his bladder trembling.
Charlie reached out and easily pulled all the banknotes from the three people's fists.
"Wouldn't it be better to just take your own share? You just had to force yours on me."
"This really makes me angry."
He folded the money and put it into his pocket.
Then he looked up, staring coldly at Tom.
"What did you just say?"
"Out here, it's all about fists?"
A mocking curve appeared on Charlie's lips.
"Well, go ahead and try to move your fists now."
Tom wanted to speak, but after opening his mouth for a long time, he could only make "uh-uh" sounds.
Suddenly, Lisa's pants became wet, and a warm stream flowed down her thigh to the ground.
A pungent odor filled the air.
Charlie frowned and took a step back.
"How disgusting."
He turned to leave, thinking that these three useless people were no good; he needed to find new enforcers.
His path to becoming a crime lord couldn't end like this.
Just then, a gentle yet slightly serious voice sounded from the alley entrance.
"Mr. White, could you please release these Muggle first?"
Charlie's pupils constricted suddenly, and he instinctively looked back.
At the alley entrance, a woman wearing a pointed hat and a strange emerald green robe stood there, wearing square glasses, her expression serious but not fierce.
The wrinkles on her face were deep; she looked to be seventy or eighty years old.
Professor McGonagall felt a little surprised.
Merlin's unwashed white socks for three days, this Young Wizard's magic outburst is so strong.
Generally speaking, the more frequent and intense a Wizard's magic outburst, the stronger their talent.
However, he must not be allowed to do anything irrational.
Charlie, seeing the stranger, secretly became wary.
He had just used that mysterious power, and now a mysterious person appeared; it was too much of a coincidence.
Could she be some government agent, specifically here to capture people like him, those with special abilities, for research?
Charlie's mind raced, contemplating countermeasures, and decided to communicate first.
"Muggle?" Charlie narrowed his eyes, "What are you talking about?"
Professor McGonagall gently waved her wand, and the three, Tom, instantly slid down from the wall, collapsing limply onto the ground.
Their eyes became dull and vacant, like puppets with their strings cut.
Charlie gasped in surprise at this sight.
Killing to silence?
"I merely made them forget everything they just saw." Professor McGonagall put away her wand, explaining in a gentle tone.
"You needn't worry, I am not here to harm you."
Charlie was noncommittal.
Whatever her intention, it seemed he had no room to resist.
This move was clearly something his half-baked special ability couldn't handle.
Professor McGonagall straightened her robes.
"Please allow me to introduce myself. I am Minerva McGonagall, Professor of Transfiguration at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."
Hogwarts?
Charlie's heart gave a violent thump.
Although he hadn't watched Harry Potter, as a modern person in his previous life, these terms were household names.
Lord Voldemort, Dumbledore, Hogwarts... these keywords had appeared countless times online.
Was this Harry Potter's world?
Professor McGonagall saw Charlie's shocked expression, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously curved upwards.
She loved seeing the Young Wizard's reactions when they first learned about the magic world; it was one of her great pleasures.
That's why every year when new students enrolled, she would apply to Dumbledore to pick up Wizards from Muggle backgrounds.
Charlie pressed, "You just mentioned magic, right?"
Professor McGonagall nodded.
"That's right, magic. The power you just displayed is an manifestation of magic." Her tone became even gentler.
"Mr. White, you are a Wizard."
Wizard!
Charlie felt an uncontrollable excitement.
In his previous life, he had wished countless times to God for a superpower, be it the Twelve Talismans, Devil Fruits, immortal cultivation secrets, or even ninjutsu and taijutsu.
As long as he could have superpowers, he would even be willing to be a billionaire.
But God completely ignored him, even kicking him a couple of times.
He never expected that after transmigrating, the opportunity would be right in front of him!
That power within him, was it magic?
Professor McGonagall smiled slightly and pulled a thick parchment letter from her pocket.
The envelope was addressed in emerald green ink:
Mr. Charlie White
Orphanage, Bethnal Green Road, East London
Third dormitory on the left, second floor
"This is your Hogwarts admission letter." Professor McGonagall handed over the envelope.
"You are 11 years old this year, old enough to enroll."
Charlie took the envelope; the parchment felt unique, ancient and substantial to the touch.
He opened the envelope, and its contents made his eyes widen:
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Principal: Albus Dumbledore
Dear Mr. White:
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry...
Below the letter was a long list of required items, such as a wand, cauldron, and Owl.
Looking at these familiar yet strange words, Charlie was completely convinced.
This truly was Harry Potter's world.
"Well, are you willing to come to Hogwarts with me?" Professor McGonagall asked gently.
Charlie nodded without hesitation: "Of course I am!"
Are you kidding? magic! Who wouldn't want to learn magic?
Crime lord? Never heard of it.
If you can use magic, who would still be a street thug?