Lana carried the measuring stick into the registry loft while Ash stood on the marked floorboard without being told.
The town had spent two weeks turning his early growth into a mountain rumor, and the rumor had reached merchants who sold charts beside the gate.
Hajin watched Ash reach for a loaf on the upper shelf, miss by two fingers, and drag a stool across the floor with stubborn determination.
Aria pulled every height, weight, and vocabulary note from the first week Ash arrived in the Sixth.
'If the Stream still thinks he gains a handspan every nap, kill that story before someone sells it again,' Hajin thought, holding the loaf above the measuring board.
Lana set the stick against the wall notch and pointed at the floor.
"Hold still, and do not blink-step halfway through the measurement while the board is against your heels," Lana instructed.
Ash held still for three breaths, then rose onto his toes when Hajin lowered the loaf beyond his reach.
