As the temporal zones expanded, Lucien opened them further.
Dawnbinder entered. So did the Solar Concordium. The Lunareth Sect followed, along with other factions that had repeatedly stood beside Lootwell.
Lucien refused to pretend every group improved at the same pace.
Some adapted quickly.
Others needed months simply to unlearn habits that had worked against weaker enemies.
A few talented people entered with impressive reputations and discovered that reputation did very little against a simulation designed specifically to exploit whatever they were proudest of.
That humbled them.
Usually.
Occasionally, it made them angry.
Those people were given another simulation.
Lucien found that repeated failure was remarkably educational.
The important thing was that progress continued.
Every internal time produced people who reacted faster, coordinated better, and understood the difference between individual strength and useful strength.
