CH.5

DJ along with Loid, Yor, and Anya were sitting in the living room with disappointment. Disappointment about how their interview had gone down at the school. They were so close to getting their foot in the door. So close indeed. All four of their personal goals were blown into smoke with no cold water in sight.

*FlashBack*

"Alright. This is it." Loid put on his hat with confidence. "We did all we can to prepare."

DJ made sure that Anya's dress wasn't torn or wrinkled. Then he too put on his hat that matches his formal attire. "We need to cross our fingers and hope that we survive this."

Yor checked her makeup before putting her mini mirror back inside her purse. "I have never been this nervous in a day of my life."

"I feel butterflies in my stomach." Anya spoke while rubbing her uneasy stomach.

Loid looked at his pretended family. "Just relax and follow my lead. Remember everything that we practiced and we will do just fine without any anxiety."

"Exactly." DJ opened the door. "Just stick with the plan and do well with the interview, and we are home free. Got it?.".

Yor and Anya nodded in understanding before exiting their home. Little did the two know, both DJ and Loid had dug a ton of research about the trials Eden Academy's interview and studied the full backgrounds of the school's housemasters, from their separate personal source material. Loid getting his intel from WISE. DJ getting his intel from his cartel. The two were most definitely prepared for the day, especially one of them having an ace up their sleeve if needed to be used.

The four walked their way on the sidewalk and carefully walked without damaging their formal attires. Not showing a bit of anxiety. Upon getting closer to the front entrance of the impressive and extravagant campus that is Eden Academy, the Forger Family noticed a lot of families pouring in like cattle that arrived off the truck. Cattles that were ready for slaughter. Somewhere in one of the buildings the teaching staff of the school can see every single family listed and being tested. Tested to see if either of the families is deemed eligible to proceed to be interviewed and be carefully determined to be part of the Eden Academy family.

The one not only a part of the interviewers but also leading the pre-interview is Headmaster Henry Henderson. Henderson who is in his formal attire wearing his monocle is currently watching the families both entering and losing points in the pre-interview. Yes, sir, Headmaster Henderson only selects the best of the best. Or how he likes to call it, elegance.

"Elegance." Headmaster Henderson spoke while holding onto his cane. "Elegance is what describes, characterizes, and what our beloved Eden Academy stands for."

"Yes, Headmaster Henderson." said all the teaching staff at once in response.

Headmaster Henderson watched each family with disappointment. Not a single family did not interest him not one bit. Except for one family. The Forgers.

"Awe, yes, The Forgers." Headmaster Henderson eyed the family with interest. "The eldest child scored the exam with ease. He answered every single question correctly and finished the test before any child can even flip to the next page of the test. Very impressive and elegant. Something that is very rare. Very rare indeed."

"The eldest child of The Forgers' name is DJ. The youngest child is Anya. She barely passed as is." said a female staff member, looking at the actual test papers of the two kids.

Headmaster Henderson stroked his beard. "Indeed. Strangely, the son stands out amongst his family due to his skin pigmentation. However, Eden Academy does not value birthed appearance but only intelligence and manners."

On the campus grounds the Forgers stopped and took the moment to place their hands over their hearts and looked up at the statue of the founder of the school. Showing the utmost respect and showing homage to the one that started it all. Headmaster Henderson gasped in shock as he had never seen any of the families over the years show homage to the founding father of Eden Academy.

"How very elegant!." Headmaster Henderson said in surprise as he had to look through a pair of opera binoculars. "This is rare to lay eyes upon."

"Showing respect to the school's founding father will most definitely boost us for points in this current interview." Loid thought to himself.

Yor smiled and thought. "I have no idea who this guy is. But as long as I continue to follow Loid and DJ's lead throughout this whole thing, then we will succeed with no problem."

DJ looked at the stature with a blank facial expression. "This man right here has the same mindset as me. He values knowledge. Knowledge is the key to being successful. But most of all, knowledge is power."

"Baldy!. Baldy!." Anya said to herself as that is all that she sees.

Once done saluting the four continued walking down the campus with their eyes open and focused on standby. Both Loid and DJ had that feeling of being watched on every step they made even though they learned about the information. However, they are not so worried due to them being personally prepared for the whole day.

"We are still being watched." Loid informed. "Do not panic and stay calm."

"I know." DJ responded while catching an eye on one of the students of the school.

The student is in Anya's age group and currently has his leg stuck inside the sewage drain. Sensing that the boy is one of the tests that the people of Eden Academy are using against them. There are two solutions to the situation. The first solution is to somehow get the boy out of the drain and show some humanity but at the cost of getting sewage on your clothes. Let alone lose points and probably be disqualified for editability for the post-interview. While the second solution option is to ignore and continue to walk forward, which every family is valuing that option strongly. However, they wanted to stand out the most.

"Help!. Oh, someone please help!." the boy in the school's uniform called out in plea.

The Forgers stopped in their tracks. Loid and DJ eyed the other families who continued to ignore and pretend that this boy who is stuck in the drain is not there. The two can spot the obvious that the other families know that this is both a trap and Eden Academy's test. DJ looked at his adopted father plainly. Loid gave DJ a quick glance of nonverbal speaking. DJ turned his attention to Anya and padded her back. Giving her the ok to act. Anya and Yor know what to do in this given situation.

Anya pointed at the kid. "Momma. Papa. Big Brother. This boy is in need of desperate aid."

Headmaster Henderson watched the family with interest. He wanted to see how they were going to handle the situation. He watched Loid and DJ approach the boy and help pull him out of the drain. With the cost of Loid getting his pants soaked by filthy sewage and DJ getting his black formal attire shoes covered in sewage goop.

"Here you go, young man." Loid said to the boy when setting him down.

"Next time look at where you are walking. Cool?." DJ spoke with a smile.

Anya pulled out a handkerchief from her pocket. "Here use this to clean yourself off with."

Headmaster Henderson shook his head in great disappointment. "Shame. They really pull the common commodore on us. They must think they will be interviewed while having that foul awful smell of sewage on them."

Headmaster Henderson walked away from the sight of the Forgers and went about his business since his most interested family had failed. "Pity. I was very indeed looking forward to having the young man be one of Eden Academy's prized students. Shame really.

Little did Headmaster Henderson know, the Forgers had prepared for absolutely everything that the people of the school could throw at them. And the student that they saved was about to confess that the whole thing was staged for the sake of gaining extra credit for the first semester. That is until Yor opened the suitcase and let Loid change into another suit, while DJ pulled off his protector off his shoes and revealed his pair being cleaned and fresh.

"Why thank you so much young man." Loid put on his top hat. "Because of you, I can wear something more suitable and more in crowd attire."

"Yes, you look a lot more suitable than your other outfit, Loid." Yor commented happily.

The boy looked in disbelief and so did the headmaster. DJ checked his shoes before putting his protective wraps into the trash can and looked at the boy with a smile.

"You are a lifesaver. Because the interviewers can spot the protective layers of my shoes and assume that I am hiding something. Can not let them think of me the wrong way." said DJ.

Headmaster Henderson gasped in awe and shock. "Who on earth can predict this to happen?!. How did they come prepared for this?!. I clearly have underestimated the Forger Family. They are still in it."

The Forgers continued walking with the other families. DJ had fully informed of the trials than what WISE can even pull out. He knows that constant walking is one of the tests. They wanted to see how strong their patience is and how long they can be on their feet at certain periods of time. Something about what to do and not to do when feeling fatigued or losing circulation in your feet. DJ already knows how long Anya can last in these conditions and it is not positive.

No one knew except for Anya that DJ had an ace up his sleeve. Something that would get them right in the waiting room for their interview. Due to unexpected circumstances. Meaning that it will encourage the higher ups to end the pre-interview so soon and let them earn the right to attend the post interview. And so after the weekend outing, DJ secretly got into one of his personal tinted cars after telling his family that he is going for a walk around. From there he spends the time making out with Kefla while gaining the requested details of Eden Academy, and telling her his plan upon the interview.

"My what a hot day." DJ said when taking out his blue handkerchief.

From there he patted the sweat off his forehead. Little did anyone know, there in the school's bell tower using a pair of binoculars was Kefla. She arrived at the school before everyone got here or woke up. Trained by her boyfriend on how to do these things, she has been eyeing and following her lover and his family in waiting for the signal. And that signal is him cleaning the sweat off his forehead and then seeing him putting his handkerchief back inside his coat pocket.

"Finally." Kelfa removed the binoculars from her face. "I was hoping that he would use the plan so soon. But like he always told me. Bait your fish in the barrel and then you shoot it dead when it is least expected."

Kefla picked up her walkie-talkie and pressed the button. "Boss wants the ace on the table. Put it down now."

Somewhere close to the school was a small farm as one of the thugs unlocked the fence to the farm animals pin. Then after getting out of the attack range, he then pulled out a specially made whistle from his pocket and blew on it hard. From there it wrongly excited the animals to no end and went full insane all out stampede.

"They are loose and running."

Kefla responded back on the radio. "Got it."

Next, Kelfa pulled out her whistle and blew hard on it to make the animals run to the campus. It did not take long for DJ to get his results as they all heard screaming from the people and a lot of sounds being made from the animals. And all he had to do was just play along.

"Oh, shoot, a stampede!. Quick let us get out of stumping range!." said DJ, as he quickly scooped up Anya off the ground and ran.

Loid and Yor followed as they can not believe that this is actually happening. Including Headmaster Henderson, who recalls that this is not part of the pre interview at all and seeing this live stampede will take the innocent lives of potential elegant newcomers of Eden Academy.

"My word!. We have got to stop this or we will be on tonight's news!." Headmaster Henderson yelled in fear.

However, DJ has this all carefully planned out before making the final decision on putting into sweet action. Giving the stampede a good short minutes before letting Kefla tell the thug to whistle them back to the farm. However, he did not expect to have a second opinion of a not planned plan B. During that moment, Loid had to save a fallen boy from being stepped on by incoming bulls while DJ helped a woman from tripping over due to one of her heels having been broken off on one of her shoes.

"I know what I need to do." Yor turned at the approaching stampede.

She eyed the leader in which is the bull and leaped forward to Loid, DJ, and Anya's surprise. Yor instantly uses her assassin skills by dashing towards the ringleader bull and then pressure pointing him in places where it would work. The bull stopped dead and collapsed hard to the ground with a thud. Resulting in having shocked looks on everyone's faces along with questioning on how she was able to know exactly where to pressure strike. Yor quickly realized what she just did after dropping her assassin facial expression and panic.

Yor looked at her family with innocence. "It…It is not what it looks like!. Honest!."

"What do you mean?." DJ looked at the woman in disbelief. "Who took that bull down like you are ready to close its lights out for good."

Yor panic blushed. "It is not true, DJ, I took a lot of yoga lessons a long time ago and learned a few pressure points to calm the fatigued and overstressed muscles. Honest!."

Even Kefla is having doubts after seeing all this as she had no idea that her boyfriend's adopted mother is capable of doing such a thing. In fact, she only figured that this reality does not have actual fighters like herself.

"Well, damn, you learn something new everyday." Kefla said to herself before exiting the tower before someone saw her.

Loid was shocked and yet relieved that he does not have to use his gun from the case. "That is quite interesting."

DJ let Anya down after seeing that things are coming down. "Well, thanks for saving us, Mom."

Anya checked the bull out with DJ making sure that she would not get attacked as the bull got up and walked away to where it originated from, along with the other farm animals after they were super terrifying of Yor. As for Headmaster Henderson, he was moved in astonishment and was indeed grateful that this family is interested in wanting to let their own two kids attend a legendary school that is Eden Academy.

"This is alright elegant. Nothing but full pure elegance!." Headmaster Henderson spoke in pure excitement.

With no moment to spare, he ran right out of the building and exited through the door and caught sight of his desired family.

"Forgers!." Headmaster Henderson got their attention.

Loid and DJ both recognized who this man is. DJ's plan still gave him his result. Just exactly how he wanted to happen. Headmaster Henderson managed to catch his breath and managed to straighten himself up before speaking to the family that he and the school itself is mostly interested in.

"I wanted to personally apologize for this wild incident and wanted to inform you that you have earned the right to be interviewed. Just give us some time to get things situated and will inform you on when to return for the interview." said Headmaster Henderson.

"No need for that, Headmaster Henderson." DJ spoke with a proper tone. "You see sir, my family maintains a proper and more respectful reputation. Meaning that we always come prepared for almost everything. Our family motto is, Except for the Unexpected. Is that not right, father?."

Loid praised what DJ is doing as that is a good way to get in the good graces with one of the headmasters of Eden Academy. He followed along. Including Yor.

"That is indeed correct, son. We Forgers are always one step ahead than the average family." said Loid, when opening the briefcase.

"Yes, we value nothing but pure excellence." said Yor.

Anya looked at the three confusionly as they put on a fresh pair of clean clothes and looked very uppity. Even Headmaster Henderson was in utter shock as this was not expected for this to happen.

"Forget about elegance. This family is utterly scary." Headmaster Henderson thought to himself.

After getting things settled and waiting for the Headmasters to get themselves ready for interviewing them. The four waited patiently and nervously. Loid spoke in his head that he has never been this nervous in a day of his life on missions. Even though he had a few that were life-threatening. Anya read her father's mind before switching to reading her brother's. Despite being Arkham Knight, DJ has never been interviewed by anyone. Mostly he is the one on the other side giving the interview to those who needed things or a money loan from him. It felt funny and ironic for DJ.

"Just remember what we practiced, you three." Loid informed calmly.

"Funny. I was about to say the same thing." responded DJ.

"What is the hold up?." asked Yor, feeling uneasy.

"Considering the two test scores of DJ and Anya, they are probably wondering if DJ's grade is legit or out of luck. Anya's…accurate." explained Loid.

Anya had that shocked facial expression. "Papa!."

DJ shrugged. "For your age Anya, it is accurate and below average. Me, however, my test score is not a fluke or out of luck. I'm above average."

Loid nodded as that is indeed true since DJ proved that without any doubts. They did all that they could do and now they just have to hope that they will pass. All four have personal goals that they need to achieve and not fail. They can not afford to fail in the interview. And everything is on the gambling table and it is time to play.

"Forgers?." Headmaster Walter Evans spoke.

"Here we go." DJ got up and guided Anya inside.

The Forgers entered and sat down in the seats that the Headmasters had assigned them to. Loid and Yor sat on the couch across from the Headmasters, while both DJ and Anya sat on the couch. DJ and Loid studied the Headmasters from their private personal intel and know who to please and try to please. There were three Headmasters that were going to be interviewing them.

"Now, then." Headmaster Walter Evans spoke with a friendly tone. He smiled at the four. "I would like to start out by giving questions to the parents first. Before we get to ask the kids who are the main focus of this whole interview."

The headmaster of Malcom Hall looked at Loid and Yor who both sat up straight and spoke to Loid first. "Mr. Forger, it would seem that this is your second. Please tell us what kind of relationship you had before you two got married?."

Loid relaxed under pressure. "I met my wife by coincidence with a reputable tailor. The same tailor that this school has its contract of handling the school's uniform and repairs. I was quite charmed at the very sight of her. She had the signs of great wifey and motherly material."

DJ watched and listened to what Loid was saying while watching Henderson and Evans who were liking what he was saying. Except for the other headmaster who is a hater since he got divorced and lost custody of his child based on the files. Next, Headmaster Murdoch Swan of Cline Hall went to question Yor. Just to try and break their progress if passing the interview.

"Now, for you, Mrs. Forger." Headmaster Swan eyed the woman. "How do you honestly feel about your marriage relationship?."

Yor slightly blushed at the question and smiled. "I thought and felt that I have gained good fortune. Loid has been nothing but a good man and an outstanding provider. So caring to others and putting his family's needs first before his own. Especially with our outstanding delightful kids who…"

"Yes, about the kids." Headmaster Swan stopped Yor. "We can not ignore the fact that you are an attractive woman. But why are you willing to strain your life with the burden of marrying a man with kids?. One is a teenager and the other is a six year old."

DJ is already seeing that this man is being a rude ass. And so does Loid. But thankfully, Yor was strong enough to tackle the question and ignore the rudeness.

"I saw nothing more than a blessing." Yor looked at the three Headmasters with a warm smile. "I longed to have kids for so long. And I just can not bare the thought of these two kids growing up without a mother is very heartbreaking. And plus, I just love kids."

Anya read Headmaster Swan's mind and heard how awfully jealous he was with them being a happy family. She needed to be careful dealing with him. Loid tried his best not to get mad and tried to tell himself that this is his pretend family and not the real deal. They went on answering a few more questions until the three Headmasters were satisfied and went to have their full focus on DJ and Anya.

"Now, then let us start with the oldest child, shall we?." Headmaster Henderson looked at the teen. "DJ, what are you most looking for to gain from Eden Academy until graduation?."

DJ sat up straight and spoke intelligently. "Well, Headmaster Henderson, I am most looking for to gain proper guidance and the way of being more…oh, what is the word?…ah, yes, being a bit more executive and being a prime example of being a proper intellectual gentleman."

"A very good response. Quite elegant indeed." Headmaster Henderson thought and gave the teen another question. "And how do you feel about the challenges that this school has in store for you and your sister?."

"I feel that these challenges are more of a way to help in crafting us into a much better intelligent citizens of Ostania." DJ looked at the three with utter seriousness. "The challenges will either make you or break you. It is all about how willing you are to be the best that all you can be."

"Yes, Yes, that is all good and dandy. But…" Headmaster Swan about to hit a touchy subject. "Care to explain why your skin complexion is different from your family?."

This made Loid mad on the inside while it did the same for both Yor and Anya. Especially with the other housemasters.

"Now, that is utterly offensive, Swan!." Headmaster Walter Evans spoke in defense.

"What?. I know the both of you are also curious about this. This boy literally stands out from his family and everyone else." Headmaster Swan argued.

"I'm going to play along this time, fatass." DJ thought in his mind before giving an answer. "Yes, well, believe it or not, I have suffered an incurable skin disease that is ultra rare and you all have not heard about it, due to it not being a major issue. You see I am diagnosed with revitiligo. Instead of having the desired skin tone as the rest of you, I get darker and darker."

Loid is relieved that it was a good answer to explain about the teen's skin tone as the three Headmasters did not raise another question on that matter.

"All I can say is that I am deeply sorry for your skin condition young man." Headmaster Henderson said.

"Oh, I appreciate your apology, sir, but need not to worry about my feelings. You see, having this non life-threatening disease does not damage my self esteem. No, it just builds my character." said DJ.

Anya read everyone's heads without passing out and hearing them give praise to DJ's lie all except for Headmaster Swan. Anya admired DJ for relaxing under pressure and still holding his calmness. It gave her confidence and ready to take on any questions. She answered their questions right after DJ gave an honest score of their parents and managed to get both Headmasters interested. Only except for Swan who went and messed the whole thing up for the Forgers.

"Tell me, little girl. Do you prefer your old mother or the new mother?." asked Headmaster Swan.

This made Loid and DJ worry as the two have never dug the girl's origin and how she ended up in the orphanage. Because after hearing that question just made poor Anya tearing.

"Mommy…Mommy." Anya cried into DJ's chest.

DJ automatically comforted Anya and then scolded the man. "What the hell dude?!. She is only six freaking years old!. Why asked that?!."

Loid did not stop DJ from cursing at the man as he too is furious about it. Yor helped DJ calm Anya down while she too had the same mindset as both DJ and Loid. Loid wants to hurt the guy. Yor wants to kill the guy with her bare hand. And DJ wants to pull his hidden pistol out from the holster of his leg and shoot the man right in the head.

"What did I say?." Headmaster Swan spoke boldly. "The kids of your age would have to stay on campus for such a semester. And seeing how your sister acted it would seems that she is not emotionally ready to be independent."

DJ angrily looked at the fat man. "Why you son of a…"

DJ was about to pull his gun and kill this man with Yor backing himself as she is ready to jump on him. That is all until the two were stopped dead in their tracks when they saw Loid leaned forward and was about to punch the man right in the face. But instead he slammed his fist right in the middle of the wooden table. This shocked everyone.

"Sorry about that. I saw a mosquito. Did not want for any of you to be infected by any illness." Loid lied as he picked up Anya into his arms. "If this is how you interview kids than we have picked the wrong school to put my son and daughter in."

Yor followed Loid out of the room before giving the man a quick death stare. DJ put his hat back on and followed his family. Then he stopped when he turned and looked at the three with utter seriousness and anger.

"Just to let you three know. You gave the reputation of this school and the people that came before the opposite of elegance. Stick that up your asses." DJ slammed the door behind him.

*End of Flashback*

DJ picked up his fresh tea. "We tried and we let our emotions be the best of us."

Loid sighed as he drank his coffee. "Well, there is no way of changing what we did. I fear that we are not getting into that school."

"Don't say that, Loid." Yor said to give hope for her family. "I bet we did get our foot at the door. Those two other headmasters were kind and nice and I bet they put their choices into a vote. We just can not give up so easily."

Anya set her cup of hot cocoa down. "Do you think we have a chance, Big Brother?."

DJ looked at Anya. He made a small smile before petting the top of her head. "Well, pinkie, anything is possible. Will find out if we got in. If we do not get in then we will look for another school. It is not over. Cool?."

Anya smiled. "Cool!."

After the next hour, DJ put Anya into bed and sat on the bed and watched her asleep. Loid quietly came in and sat down on the chair.

"How is she?." Loid asked when eyeing the sleeping child.

"Tired. But she is calm." DJ looked at Loid. "We failed, did we not?."

Loid sighed. "There is no question about it. But like you said. Anything is possible."

Loid gave DJ a smile. DJ smiled back as he got up and headed out to his bedroom. He was going to call it a night and call Kefla later after seeing that she has been hitting his phone up like mad. Typical girlfriend.

"Yeah, anything is possible." DJ lay on his pillow. "That is what grandma always says."

After that he went to sleep along with everyone. Wanting to seep off the drama of today and focus more about tomorrow.


(A/N): Hope you guys enjoy this chap!.