Just moments ago, when Blaziken had unintentionally exposed the bracelet on its wrist—the one embedded with Blazikenite—
One of Ash's four Elite-tier ace Pokémon, the regal bird Pokémon with the magnificent crest, had seemingly "casually" lifted one of its legs.
Wrapped around its ankle was an ancient-looking golden anklet, radiating a sacred and mysterious aura.
Embedded within it...
Was another Mega Stone.
Blaziken instinctively turned toward Ash.
Sure enough...
Around Ash's own wrist was a bracelet set with a Key Stone.
"What the hell...?!"
"What kind of rich, legendary, heaven-blessed trainer is this?!"
"Do Mega Stones grow on trees now?"
"How does a six-year-old who's only had his starter Pokémon for three months already own an entire Mega Evolution set?!"
Mega Stones weren't common items.
Even in Kalos—the birthplace of Mega Evolution—only a tiny handful of elite trainers possessed them.
Outside Kalos...
They were practically impossible to obtain.
So how could this kid possibly own one?
Even more unbelievable...
Ash had already fashioned the Mega Stone and Key Stone into wearable accessories.
And judging by that bird Pokémon's smug little display just now...
It clearly knew what Mega Evolution was.
In fact—
It had almost certainly Mega Evolved before.
Blaziken looked back and forth between Ash and the Pokémon surrounding him.
Its entire worldview felt like it was collapsing.
…
"Why..."
"Why couldn't I have met a trainer like this?"
It couldn't help feeling a little sour.
Although it had been Meyer's very first Pokémon...
Once its strength reached the Pseudo-Elite Four level and its natural potential plateaued...
Its place within Meyer's team had become increasingly unstable.
As Meyer continued catching Pokémon with greater talent, faster growth, and higher ceilings...
There had even been a period when he seriously considered removing Blaziken from the main team and relegating it to the reserve squad.
Fortunately...
Around that time, Meyer happened to discover a Mega Stone inside an ancient ruin.
After examination, it proved to be perfectly compatible with Blaziken.
Combined with the fact that Blaziken had been his first partner...
Shared the deepest bond with him...
And possessed a remarkably handsome appearance...
After weighing every factor together, Meyer ultimately decided against replacing it.
Instead, he continued investing in Blaziken as his ace.
He even spent an enormous amount of money searching for treasures capable of improving its Potential.
Later...
Blaziken trained with everything it had.
Pushing itself to its absolute limit.
Eventually, it became the first Pokémon on Meyer's main team to break into the Champion Tier.
Only then did it completely secure Meyer's trust and attention.
…
Yet comparing the two trainers...
Ash was far more generous than Meyer had ever been.
Looking at the exceptionally well-trained Pokémon around him...
Blaziken couldn't help feeling envious.
…
Ash, meanwhile, knew absolutely nothing about the emotional turmoil raging inside Blaziken.
The instant the system notified him that every one of Blaziken's moves—including Aura Sphere—had been successfully copied...
His heartbeat accelerated.
His breathing grew heavier.
Suppressing his excitement, Ash opened the System Inventory.
There...
He located the newly copied item.
Aura Sphere ×1 Skill Disc
His consciousness transformed into an invisible fingertip and lightly tapped it.
Then...
He selected Use.
"Haa..."
"Haa..."
Ash took several deep breaths before slowly opening his tightly shut eyes.
He began scrolling through the target selection list.
Among the numerous chibi icons representing Pokémon capable of learning Aura Sphere...
He searched for one particular portrait.
His own.
If his avatar appeared...
It meant the system could teach him, a human trainer, a move that normally only Pokémon could learn.
If Aura Sphere really could be learned...
Then perhaps later, during training...
The Move Proficiency system would activate for him as well.
Allowing him to improve Aura Sphere's mastery just as quickly as his Pokémon.
Whether all those hopes would become reality...
Depended entirely on this one moment.
"Haa..."
"Come on!"
Very few of Ash's Pokémon could even learn Aura Sphere.
The list wasn't long.
He scrolled to the very bottom almost instantly.
The next second—
"YES!!"
Ash's entire face flushed bright red.
Ecstasy exploded across his expression.
His own character portrait...
Was there.
Afraid his eyes were playing tricks on him, Ash immediately selected his own avatar.
Then...
He pressed Use.
[Ding! Trainer Ash has learned the move Aura Sphere!]
[Personal status has been updated!]
"System."
"Open my personal status panel."
Unable to hide his excitement, Ash immediately summoned the interface.
…..
Ascension Trainer System (Severely Damaged)
Host: Ash Ketchum
Gender: Male
Age: 6
Strength: 14 (Average adult: 10)
Stamina: 13 (Average adult: 10)
Intelligence: 20 (Average adult: 10)
Charm: 29 (Average adult: 10)
Talents
Viridian Power LV.62
Aura Power LV.36
Skills
Novice (1/100):
Aura Sphere
Pokémon
First Team
Pikachu — LV.44
Greninja — LV.44
Pidgeot — LV.43
Fearow — LV.44
Second Team
Shiny Gyarados — LV.24
Shiny Milotic — LV.24
Third Team
Bulbasaur — LV.14
Items
Soothe Bell
Divine Catalyst Ring
Green Pearl Bracer
Light Ball (Pikachu — Fused)
Quick Claw
Sharp Beak (Fearow — Fused)
Scope Lens (Fearow — Fused)
Razor Claw
Razor Fang
Wide Lens
Awards
Cerulean Water-type Pokémon Beauty Contest Champion Crystal Trophy
Water Stone
…..
As he stared at the newly updated status screen...
A broad smile spread across Ash's face.
To be honest...
He had never held much hope that the system would actually allow him, a human, to learn Aura Sphere directly.
Yet against all expectations...
It had worked.
His eyes remained fixed on the brand-new Skills section beneath Talents.
That section had never existed before.
Even more exciting...
Aura Sphere now displayed a proficiency rank beside it.
That discovery made his heart burn with even greater anticipation.
"Could it be..."
"Does the Move Proficiency system, which previously only worked for Pokémon..."
"Now work for me as well?"
Ash's breathing quickened.
Without wasting another second, he immediately looked toward Greninja.
" Greninja."
"Help me test something."
"I'm going to attack you."
"Be careful not to get hurt."