Well that is natural with how regen is suppose to be an overall efficient form of healing over fast shielding and mana hungry ben 2. Scholars are not mana efficient but a powerful aetherflow mana regen mechanic makes it sort of null.

Ive managed to save countless people from eating 3 orbs at once with an instant cast aspect noc heal. Managed to keep tanks up long enough to heal them out of critical situations weaving in noc aspected shield and ben 2. If paired with a strong aoe healer like white mage noc is suppose to be in the position to help manage critical moment healing. It does that well. I do not consider it a stance you pre cast shields like scholar to help mitigate damage but to help smooth out the rough recovery by its instant cast with upfront heal and shield.

If you do not think about it as being a buffer against incoming damage but to help recover and keep those in the critical red of dying with a quick heal+ shield the stance does its job well.