{Meanwhile|In the meantime|At the same time|During this period|Simultaneously|Unbeknownst to anyone in authority}, {hidden {completely|entirely|cleverly|strategically|} from the {watchful eyes of the|vigilant|unsuspecting|oblivious|attentive} {teachers|professors|instructors|faculty members|staff}{| and administrators|}|without the {teachers|professors|instructors|faculty members|staff}{| and administrators|} {knowing|being aware|having any idea|suspecting anything|noticing}}, {a {roaring|booming|thriving|flourishing|bustling|lucrative|clandestine} trade in {talismans, amulets, and other protective devices|amulets, talismans, and various protective items|protective devices, talismans, and various amulets|magical protective items, talismans, and amulets|charms, talismans, and magical protective objects}{| of dubious effectiveness|, believed to ward off bad luck,|, purported to bring good fortune,} was {sweeping|spreading throughout|taking over|rapidly expanding across|gaining popularity in|flourishing in}|{talismans, amulets, and other protective devices|amulets, talismans, and various protective items|protective devices, talismans, and various amulets|magical protective items, talismans, and amulets|charms, talismans, and magical protective objects}{| of dubious effectiveness|, believed to ward off bad luck,|, purported to bring good fortune,} were being {traded|exchanged|sold|bartered|passed around|discreetly distributed} at a {roaring|booming|thriving|flourishing|frantic|astonishing|unprecedented} rate {throughout|across|all over|in every corner of|among students in}} the {entire|whole|expansive|sprawling|bustling|otherwise orderly|} school{| grounds| campus| community}.
{Meanwhile|In the meantime|At the same time|During this period|Simultaneously|Unbeknownst to anyone in authority|Behind the scenes}, {hidden {completely|entirely|cleverly|strategically|masterfully|} from the {watchful eyes of the|vigilant|unsuspecting|oblivious|attentive|eagle-eyed} {teachers|professors|instructors|faculty members|staff}{| and administrators| and school authorities|}|without the {teachers|professors|instructors|faculty members|staff}{| and administrators| and school authorities|} {knowing|being aware|having any idea|suspecting anything|noticing|detecting any signs}{| about it| of the activities|}}, {a {roaring|booming|thriving|flourishing|bustling|lucrative|clandestine|underground} trade in {talismans, amulets, and other protective devices|amulets, talismans, and various protective items|protective devices, talismans, and various amulets|magical protective items, talismans, and amulets|charms, talismans, and magical protective objects|lucky charms, protective amulets, and mystical talismans}{| of dubious effectiveness| of questionable origin|, believed to ward off bad luck,|, purported to bring good fortune,|, claimed to enhance academic performance,} was {sweeping|spreading throughout|taking over|rapidly expanding across|gaining popularity in|flourishing in|becoming the norm in}|{talismans, amulets, and other protective devices|amulets, talismans, and various protective items|protective devices, talismans, and various amulets|magical protective items, talismans, and amulets|charms, talismans, and magical protective objects|lucky charms, protective amulets, and mystical talismans}{| of dubious effectiveness| of questionable origin|, believed to ward off bad luck,|, purported to bring good fortune,|, claimed to enhance academic performance,} were being {traded|exchanged|sold|bartered|passed around|discreetly distributed|secretly circulated} at a {roaring|booming|thriving|flourishing|frantic|astonishing|unprecedented|remarkable} rate {throughout|across|all over|in every corner of|among students in|between classrooms in}} the {entire|whole|expansive|sprawling|bustling|otherwise orderly|academically focused|} school{| grounds| campus| community| population}.