March 2nd, evening.
Tomorrow is the third day of the Budding Month, which is also the traditional Budding Festival of Gloria.
In the old calendar used by the common people of the Empire, this is the first day of spring, symbolizing the revival of all things and the start of a new year's farming.
On this day, people would get up early in the morning, collect the tender mangur willow branches that are the first to show signs of life and still dewy, and weave them into vibrant crowns.
After that, people would wear these crowns, dance around bonfires to celebrate the sun's return to warming the earth, and pray for favorable weather and a bountiful harvest in the upcoming year.
The triennial grand competition of Pamir Academy also officially starts on this day.
This is an important night, with most students silently preparing, hoping to achieve a good ranking in the competition and thereby attract the attention of the Empire's higher echelons and top powerhouses.
