Brynn had been patient for thirteen years.
Katarina wanted that on the record. Thirteen years of her daughter treating cultivation like a chore, like something to squeeze in between trade negotiations and pipe schematics, and Brynn had bitten her tongue and smiled and maybe only cried about it to Seris twice. Three times. A reasonable number of times.
But the Compasso required a cultivation proficiency demonstration, and that meant Brynn's patience, and Katarina's excuses, had officially expired.
"Up."
"It's dawn."
"UP."
Katarina was dragged out of bed at an hour that shouldn't exist, fed half a bowl of porridge that Brynn wouldn't let her finish because "digestion slows your qi flow, Katarina," and marched into the training yard while the sun was still deciding whether it wanted to show up.
"Elements first. Show me fire."
Katarina held out her hand. A small flame popped up above her palm, about the size of a candle.
Brynn stared at it.
"Bigger."
