Taking in the blue sky overhead I thought to myself, I'm kind of worried about their reaction to constable sherk’s visit. But it's out of my control, so why focus on that, when I could be doing something productive. Turning to Madison but before I could ask her about Eden. She leaned forward in her chair, conspiratorially. She said, " I'm sure you want to know why my parents acted so weird about Sherk?” Well, that's not what I wanted to ask. But she's not wrong either, I'm even more curious now.

Letting out a sigh She said “Fine, be a spoil-spud! But since we're friends, I'll tell you anyway. My parents and Sherk grew up together, they used to be the best of friends. But they had a falling out over…” Not getting a reaction out of me, she was most likely hoping for. Letting out another sigh in frustration, She said, "You're almost as bad as Alfred. Anyway, it was a love triangle! Can you believe it, it's just like something out of a sappy romance novel. Obviously, my mom chose my dad, but it broke up their friendship. Now, whenever their all together, it's always awkward, and Sherk and my dad almost always start fighting.”

Well, I guess that makes a lot of sense, not as exciting of a secret as I thought it would be. But that's probably for the best, I thought. Awkwardly, I said, "That's not really what I was going to ask... but thank you anyway. What I really wanted to know was what you could tell me about Eden?” Her face tinted red from embarrassment. She said, "Oh… well, that's easy enough. Hmm.. let's start with the basics, first Eden is one of the only three, tier seven academies on the continent. People come from all over, just to try and make it.”

Looking surprised, I said, "Wow! I didn't know Eden was so important.” Shaking her head, She said, “Yup, yup, It's a well-known fact if you can graduate from a tier seven academy. No one would turn down your services, and anywhere you go as long as you can prove you graduated. From a tier, seven academy will definitely treat you better.” I said, "That seems over the top what's so important about graduating from a tier seven academy. Not only that but what's stopping someone from just saying they graduated from a tier seven academy?”

Laughing, She said, "You're so suspicious, think about it this way. The higher tier an academy has, the better the resources, teachers, and facilities it has. Which means it's students are better equipped to reach a higher tier themselves. Plus for an academy to reach tier seven, they have to have a tier ten headmaster. Now I'm not sure of the exact enchantment process. I do know that they're tied to both the Academy, that made them and their owners. So There is no way someone could replicate a tier seven graduation medallion.”

Rubbing my temples as my head pounded from the information overload but I guess getting into Eden was definitely important, I thought. Before we could continue talking, ripples spread out from where Daphnia and Mancin had been sitting. With a flicker, a light began to shimmer in a circular pattern. They both walked out of the glowing circle. I noticed Mancin's mana was volatile as it bubbled like hot water. His face was scrunched into an angry frown, as he grumbled. The only thing I think I could understand was something about a weasel, or maybe it was a toad.

Taking their seats, as she rubbed Mancin's arm. She said, "Dear, you really need to stop getting so worked up when you're around him. It doesn't do you any good, and it even makes things more complicated.” Pinching the bridge of his nose and letting out a deep breath, Mancin said: "I know that, I'd change it if I could he's just so irritating.” Slightly smiling and Turning to us, mainly Madison. She said, "I hope you two didn't get into any trouble while we were gone?” Her eyes flickering with guilt. Madison said, "No! What kinda trouble could we get into anyway? You guys were only gone for twenty minutes.”

Her eyebrows raised in a questioning manner. Daphnia said, "Really, Madison? You could get into trouble in five minutes, let alone twenty.” Looking at her mother directly in the eyes. She said, "Well, not this time, I was just telling Kyle about Eden.” Letting out a breathe, Daphnia aid “Oh, that's great, I'm glad you could help fill him in on what to expect.” Turning to me, She said, "Well, I've got good news and bad news. Good news, your case is no longer pending, and you aren't being charged with any crime. Bad news, neither is the mappers on who attacked you.