{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}.
{Meanwhile|In the meantime|At the same time|During this period|Simultaneously|Unbeknownst to anyone in authority|Behind the scenes|Away from adult supervision}, {hidden {completely|entirely|cleverly|strategically|masterfully|cunningly|} from the {watchful eyes of the|vigilant|unsuspecting|oblivious|attentive|eagle-eyed|ever-present} {teachers|professors|instructors|faculty members|staff|educators}{| and administrators| and school authorities| and supervisors|}|without the {teachers|professors|instructors|faculty members|staff|educators}{| and administrators| and school authorities| and supervisors|} {knowing|being aware|having any idea|suspecting anything|noticing|detecting any signs|having the slightest inkling}{| about it| of the activities| what was happening|}|far from faculty oversight|beyond the notice of school officials}, {{a {roaring|booming|thriving|flourishing|bustling|lucrative|clandestine|underground|vibrant} trade|a {roaring|booming|thriving|flourishing|bustling|lucrative|clandestine|underground|vibrant} market|a {roaring|booming|thriving|flourishing|bustling|lucrative|clandestine|underground|vibrant} exchange|a {roaring|booming|thriving|flourishing|bustling|lucrative|clandestine|underground|vibrant} business} 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|supposedly magical trinkets and protective charms}{| of dubious effectiveness| of questionable origin| from unknown sources|, believed to ward off bad luck,|, purported to bring good fortune,|, claimed to enhance academic performance,|, said to provide protection from various threats,} was {sweeping|spreading throughout|taking over|rapidly expanding across|gaining popularity in|flourishing in|becoming the norm in|making its way through}|{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|supposedly magical trinkets and protective charms}{| of dubious effectiveness| of questionable origin| from unknown sources|, believed to ward off bad luck,|, purported to bring good fortune,|, claimed to enhance academic performance,|, said to provide protection from various threats,} were being {traded|exchanged|sold|bartered|passed around|discreetly distributed|secretly circulated|whispered about and exchanged} at a {roaring|booming|thriving|flourishing|frantic|astonishing|unprecedented|remarkable|fevered} rate {throughout|across|all over|in every corner of|among students in|between classrooms in|in the hallways of|during breaks in}} the {entire|whole|expansive|sprawling|bustling|otherwise orderly|academically focused|supposedly disciplined|normally structured|} school{| grounds| campus| community| population| environment}{| behind closed doors| in secret meetings| during lunch breaks| between classes}.