It is well known that mastering something is not the same as simply being able to use it.
The first stage is the initial ability to use it. During this period, as long as you can use it, there are no problems.
It's similar to how the old uncle first picked up a spear and started playing with it—you don't care whether he played well or not; as long as he could pick it up and swing it to strike, that was enough.
The second stage is beginning to understand how to use it properly. At this point, it's like learning proper techniques.
Take the old uncle's basic training class where he bitterly practiced fundamentals, or Lord Geo Archon's uniquely creative "cockroach training method"...
The third stage: After learning various methodologies, you can slowly grope toward the essence of the thing through those methodologies.
For example, what each movement of the spear is truly for—the external injuries caused by thrusting attacks, the internal injuries caused by whipping the spear...
Once you understand the meaning behind every action, you can find common elements even when facing different situations, thereby identifying the correct strategy to respond.
Then comes the fourth stage: After grasping the essence, you can adapt what you've learned to handle entirely different problems.
Because at this point, you can start incorporating your own understanding into the original framework.
And you can face new situations with seasoned experience, without rigidly following set moves, flexibly adopting the correct strategy.
It's similar to how an author can write a character's everyday life without making them go out of character (OOC).
"Very good, very good... Lord Geo Archon, what do you think?"
Shura Anyakonsen-shou's stage was rather special. He essentially started from the third stage—already having seen through the essence of things—yet he lacked the methodological handling of the second stage.
Nahida was different. She had accumulated far too much in the second stage for far too long, yet she had never truly touched the third stage, leaving her understanding hazy and unclear.
When the two of them worked together—one uncertainly proposing various reference cases, the other analyzing the essence of the methods and making final decisions...
Lord Geo Archon chose to stamp a satisfied "Reviewed" mark.
The work efficiency of one person and one god could be said to be three times that of Shura Anyakonsen-shou working alone before, and there was still room for improvement.
It was precisely because of this that today's planned work was completed much earlier than originally estimated.
Nahida's voice carried a hint of excitement.
"Is it really okay to handle it this way?"
Because he was carrying the Akasha Terminal, Cid could still see Nahida's slightly excited gaze through the screen.
Unlike himself, who had been forcibly thrust into the role, Nahida had longed very early on to be able to serve the people.
Facing the adorable sight of Nahida cutely seeking affirmation in front of him, the old uncle instinctively reached out his hand, planning to pat her head as praise.
"Of course. You did very well. Later on, I'll take you to see the fruits of your labor, and you'll understand."
But the moment he stretched out his hand, Cid also realized the regret.
Nahida had not come to his side. What appeared before him now was merely a virtual projection created by the Akasha Terminal—something invisible and untouchable.
Still, the old uncle pretended as if he had touched her, smiling gently at the illusory Nahida.
Nahida looked earnestly at Teacher Shura Anyakonsen-shou.
Even though they were clearly far apart, and what appeared before Teacher Shura Anyakonsen-shou was only a phantom—although in reality she had not been touched at all...
Why did she still feel as though Teacher Shura Anyakonsen-shou had patted her head?
Teacher Shura Anyakonsen-shou's palm felt very solid, broad, and deeply reassuring...
There was no physical contact, yet the emotion had already been conveyed.