[the_gipsy]

> my impression is that Lerc’s mind is able to do that entire exercise much more quickly and simply know the answer, and know that it could be verbally justified if needed

My impression, is that the process is never complete without verbalization. So far, that I believe it is impossible to function as a human being without it - those that claim to have no inner monologue simply are either less aware of it, or expect it to be an actual audible hallucination. Whenever questioned to introspect and explain how they navigate tasks that require planning, it either comes out that indeed there was some inner verbalization, or evasives.

[mewpmewp2]

But you also have the quick thinking which can reach to correct answers faster than inner monologue could. Or otherwise what you might think is intuition. Frequently the verbalization or monologue part is just to explain to others or verify to yourself.

[the_gipsy]

I think you're very close.