Mastery level vs skill level

Hi, I have a question for which I couldn't find an answer anywhere.
Basically, I think the apprentice and expert bonuses for Backstab are pretty cool. However, I don't have many character points to invest in the skill itself, so I thought I could put just one point in it, grab the +2 bonus from the blessing of Moonrinal, train it to expert level and then forget it.
Would I still get the bonuses from being an expert backstabber when my skill value drops from 3 to 1 after I get the final blessing and lose my +2 from Moonrinal's blessing?
Thanks.

 

Yes, you will remain at expert level when you get the final blessing.

 

In the list of skills I can indeed see "Backstab (Expert)" even though I only have one point in it now... however, in combat I don't seem to be dealing any more damage when I attack from the back with a sword or an axe, which makes me wonder if the backstab expert thing is actually working or if it's just displayed.

 

The bonus for expert is different from the actual skill. The decrease is a result in the decrease of skill not the lost of expert status.

 

See: Schopenhauer's essay, On Education!

 

Where? & Why? Did I make a mistake with my answer?

 

No, no; at least, as far as I know; it was just a joke at the expense of academia!