Talk:Alternate-Self Learning/@comment-24619160-20151001060331/@comment-24619160-20151002055357

It's true that he had his bow and projections all along, however, as Archer says, every time their swords clashed, Shirou's skills got honed. This is how Shirou learned that L-slash. When Archer summoned Unlimited Blade Works, Shirou learned how to copy and project many times faster than he originally could, thanks to that Reality Marble, a.k.a. Archer's mental landscape, a.k.a. Archer's thoughts and knowledge.

Shirou might have had the skills since the beginning, but having skills and knowing how to use them are two different things. For example, just because you have a greataxe with the size of a piano and the image of how you wield and move it in your head, that doesn't mean you can use it. There are always circumstances. Shirou's Magic Circuits got stronger thanks to interacting with Archer. He also didn't know his swords and shield before they met.

And if we talk about learning, it doesn't have to be only about abilities. While they were interacting, Shirou learned many things about himself, his ideals and his future. Shirou learned why he must never give up his ideals, thanks to interacting with Archer. Learning isn't only about abilities and skills like sword arts. It can be knowledge as well. For example, if you were at elementary school and your teacher would be the 30-years old you and he'd teach you how to write and count, would that count as Alternate-Self Learning?