Oh well, would you look at the time? It's bullshit o'clock!...

I take the stance of a wise and benevolent teacher, even going as far as to elegantly sip tea instead of simply just drinking it. I finish it all with a small sigh of satisfaction.

[Good Tea.]

Of course, I have no idea what I'm talking about. At least it does have a rich yet mellow taste. That is when IELOF comes forward.

[Alliance l-…. Sect leader, please enlighten me too! It's like this, my followers are easily bullied. As useful as my blessings are, they only apply to fishing itself. They are extremely useless for anything else. This issue is especially glaring during combat.] (IELOF)

[How would you fight then?]

[I actually own a rather sturdy fishing rod that allows even a fisherman like me to defend myself. I can beat other low-tier gods as long as I have it! But, sadly, my believers don't have access to materials good enough to create anything similar. They are living in a resource barren continent after all.] (IELOF)

[I understand. Show it to me.]

He does small hand gestures and then in a flash of light appears…an extremely ordinary fishing rod. It's totally made of bamboo! Hey, this is almost insulting! Does he think we don't even have such a thing on the Astaroth continent?! It can't be, right?

[So, let me get this straight. You are over-relying on your custom-made fishing rod and because of that you cannot even fathom a way to guide your people?]

[Eh, I guess? I just need a method to somehow help my believers craft artifacts of their own, then I'm sure everything will be fine!] (IELOF)

[Alright, I'll need this a second.]

He hands me the fishing rod with high expectations. It clearly is a pretty normal rod that barely contains divine energy. I do a small test and the divine energy inside it is easily scattered. Why is he using such trash?

This rod of his is akin to training wheels on a bike. Sure, it makes the learning curve easier and it's reassuring to have when starting, but it also has clear limits.

Well, there is only one thing to do now. I approach the edge of the room then I use Forgar's spell to drill a hole in the water barrier. That is when the exterior of this realm appears. Behind the water veil lies a dark endless-looking void where one can seemingly drift forever in it should they be unlucky enough to fall inside.

I smile at IELOF, but at the same time I simply throw the fishing rod as far as possible in there. He watches it disappear in the distance shocked before simply blanking. I can then see many emotions in his eyes: Panic, despair, acceptance, and regret.

[W-why? My fishing rod!...] (IELOF)

[You've been using it all this while haven't you? While it clearly helped you a lot in the past it is now limiting your progress. It is limiting it so much that you can't even fathom your believers becoming stronger without one. Truth is, you never really needed it in the first place.]

At first, he's soullessly looking at me but the more I say and the more pensive he becomes.

[It's simple really. Just train from scratch without using it. I'm sure you'll figure something out. Being a deity doesn't mean that you can simply relax and have fun. You need to take this seriously.]

[B-but what is he supposed to do if he has to fight right now?!] (Aqua)

[Well, he better start training quickly I guess. Sometimes sacrifices must be made to be able to progress further. Use that pressure to shape yourself!]

[I-I understand!] (IELOF)

I nod wisely. Then I simply gesture the last one.

[Now, what is it that you want help with?]

For the first time, I can hear this goddess clearly. Comes an unexpectedly clear and cute voice from under the hood, one that is slightly high-pitched.

[I have issues with my divinity! I wish to change it but I ignore how!] (Lilly)

[Issues with your divinity?]

[*Hooded Nod* That…I'm actually the goddess of Rafting. I only govern rafts and nothing else. But I wish it was otherwise for this is the lowliest water vehicle!] (Lilly)

[Oh, you think a raft is lowly? Why is that so?]

[Because it barely requires skill or materials to make. My believers are not challenging themselves to do better either. Truthfully, the only reason I even get believers at all is that there are not many large bodies of water on the Astaroth continent.] (Lilly)

[How did you even become such a goddess in the first place if you don't think it to be worthy?]

[Luck and a love for simple sailing. But somehow my followers started misunderstanding the essence of my teachings and are expecting more and more of me without me being able to help. For instance, as much as I want to help them in the war I simply can't *sigh*. I figured that if I managed to change my divinity to some more war-oriented ship then…] (Lilly)

[I see…]

[What should I do?!] (Lilly)

[Alright, this one is easy. Very easy in fact. First of all, remove all this cloth covering you. Stop hiding your face.]

[I-is this really necessary?] (Lilly)

[Do you want my help or not?]

She seems to gather her courage and then she suddenly removes the oversized robe. Appears a really cute and small girl with purple hair and purple eyes. Along with the face reveal comes a lavender scent and heavenly chimes, but then I realize it's just the Tuna humming.

[Alright, what next?] (Lilly)

[Simple, you go back and write a list of a million reasons why a raft is the best thing ever.]

[What?! This is impossible!] (Lilly)

[Please! You think rafts are trash become some hater out there said so? If you can't even believe in yourself how are your followers supposed to believe in you?! Go back and do some serious introspection. I don't care how but go in isolated training and only come out when you have that list. That is all.]

[That…. alright.] (Lilly)

Well, that was surprisingly easy. Aqua simply needed someone to point her in the right direction, IELOF was simply over-reliant on his rod and Lilly simply needed a confidence boost. Will my advice really make a difference for them? I'm not sure but they seem desperate enough that it can't hurt to try. I finally let myself get dragged back to the Earth realm.

[Alright, later all. I hope by the next time we meet you will have accomplished much progress. Remember to adhere to the sect's core principles!]

Then I simply smile and wave as I do my disappearing act. Am I some kind of dimension-hopping wise teacher right now? The last thing I hear is them thanking me and the tuna wondering where I'm going. I mean...the answer should be pretty damn obvious.

Now, how will I explain this down there? ...