Fragrant ink and whispering paper. Twelve-year-old Sepia can hardly believe it: In the port city of Flohall, she is allowed to learn the craft of printing from Master Silbersilbe. Why was she chosen – a clumsy orphan? Soon, Sepia finds loyal friends in Niki and Sanzio and experiences her first Sparkle Festival. But suddenly, dark figures begin to lurk around, and the masters disappear. Sepia suspects that these events are connected to the Ink War and a dark alchemist whom everyone thought was defeated.