The feeling of being on the borders of something very vast and complex remains, and grows stronger with everything she says. The Doctor is no stranger to cosmic battles and rewriting the events of history, so it's a familiar strangeness. He could salute it in passing, if he were the type. As it is he merely makes note of it.

"It seems like you're the strong-willed one, hanging on and finding a way around death to fight your brother. That kind of tenacity is impressive, moreso than formidable powers, anybody can have those and it's unlikely to be much of an advantage. I don't think a lack of will is your problem, and I bet the snake agrees with me. Fooling yourself is a boring road to go down, don't you think you're a little too scholarly for that?"