The day of the Sealing Festival arrived, and from early morning, the entire academy was buzzing with excitement.1

I could tell by the sounds that the merchants had arrived at the academy. Still, I peeked my head out the dormitory window to confirm. Just beyond the academy gates, merchants had indeed entered the campus, hauling loads of goods. After all, no festival was complete without street stalls and food vendors. The merchants, who had likely been counting down the days for this, wore expressions as grim and resolute as warriors heading into battle.0

Well, just getting permission to set up shop on campus was probably a major challenge. Even though this was a day when outsiders were allowed in, that didn’t mean anyone could stroll onto the academy grounds. They needed to pass strict identity verification and inspection of their goods before they could be issued a permit to sell inside the academy.0

But it was worth the trouble, as the merchants made a killing. Rumors had it that one could earn thousands of gold in just one day. It was no wonder because every year on festival day, prices skyrocketed...2