In kindergarten, all of Edmund's classmates were jealous of him because he could already subtract numbers. On a particular field trip to a local bird-watching site, Edmund's peers left him in a ditch so he missed the bus back home! Fortunately, a flock of ravens came and helped him out of said ditch, and found it in the kindness of their hearts to raise him as one of their own. They taught him how to sing and the wonders of vocal music, as it became Edmund's favorite activity. But after twelve years, Edmund had become frustrated that none of the birds could sing words (except ravens, but only "nevermore"), so he left in search of his home. Unfortunately, he lost his way and found himself in Oberlin, Ohio. And there his ears feasted on the music of the gods: the Obertones. He had to join them! So he asked if he could become an Obertone, and they let him join out of pity for being raised by birds.