With the amplified cultivation effect of the [Dream Law Imprint], even though Ash had only just awakened his psychic powers at the age of six, the current pace of his meditation and growth gave him full confidence. By the time he officially set out at age ten, he was certain he'd catch up with—or even surpass—Saffron City's Gym Leader: the extraordinary psychic prodigy who once turned Ash and his friends into dolls in the original timeline—Sabrina.
"When I challenge the Saffron Gym in this life, I won't be fumbling around, losing again and again like in the original. No more clowning with Haunter just to break her focus and steal a lucky win. This time, I'm a psychic too—and I'll beat her fair and square!"
Ash could clearly feel the surge in his Aura after completing that meditation session. The power brimming in his psychic space filled him with growing confidence.
"System, show me my data panel," he said, rubbing his slightly numb legs as he sat on the edge of his bed.
[Ascension Trainer System] (Severely Damaged)
Host: Ash Ketchum
Gender: Male
Age: 6
Strength: 05 (Average Adult: 10)
Endurance: 06 (Average Adult: 10)
Intelligence: 10
Charisma: 10
Abilities: Viridian Blessing – LV.15, Aura – LV.6
Pokémon: Pichu – LV.6, Froakie – LV.17
Items:
Soothe Bell
[Multiple virtual TMs copied via Skill Copy Module]
Throughout the two-week summer camp, Ash had made physical training part of his daily routine—morning runs, squats, frog jumps, push-ups—slow and steady progress.
When he first transmigrated to this world, his panel showed a Strength stat of only 3 and Endurance of 4. But thanks to those two intense weeks, both had increased by 2 points—a major gain in such a short time.
Yet even greater progress was found in his supernatural abilities:
Viridian Blessing: LV.15
Aura: LV.6
Froakie was only LV.17, and even his Pichu was LV.6—Ash's Aura had already caught up with the latter, and his Viridian Power was just two levels shy of the former.
Pichu hadn't received any serious battle training yet. If Ash fought him using only his Aura abilities, he was confident he'd win.
As for Froakie, although Viridian Power was just a few levels behind, it had no offensive function, while Froakie had already undergone structured training and developed a growing set of combat skills.
Honestly, it was normal for Pokémon to outpace their Trainers in raw combat.
"Right… Pichu, I've got a little something for you."
Looking back at the system's item list, Ash spotted the [Soothe Bell]—a gift Daisy Oak had given him during summer camp. It was time to put it to use.
[Soothe Bell] was a held item that helped a Pokémon increase its friendship faster. And for Pichu to evolve into Pikachu, friendship was the key requirement.
Once that affection threshold was crossed, evolution would naturally follow.
"Ding~ling…"
Ash looped the bell around Pichu's neck with a gentle string. The bell let out a crisp, pleasant chime. Pichu instantly lit up with joy, clearly loving it.
"Froakie," Ash turned and gently patted Froakie's head, "This bell is especially helpful for Pichu's evolution, so it's for him. But don't worry—when I find something just right for you, you'll get it first."
"Froaa~!" Froakie smiled, not the least bit jealous. In fact, hearing Ash's promise only made him happier inside.
—
Late at night, after exhausting his mental energy through prolonged meditation, Ash felt his mind foggy and drowsy. After saying goodnight to his mom, who was still watching TV, he headed upstairs with Pichu and Froakie in tow and went straight to bed.
—
The night passed quietly, and the dawn slowly painted the skies with the light of a new day.
Thanks to his consistent summer camp routine, Ash's habit of oversleeping had improved slightly. The alarm rang at 6:30 AM, and Froakie nudged him gently.
Ash opened his eyes groggily but got up without lingering under the covers. He grabbed the half-awake Pichu and headed to the bathroom to freshen up.
Before the second cry of the town's Dodrios, Ash was already outside with his Pokémon.
He led Pichu and Froakie out beyond the town limits, to the quiet riverside.
Ash summoned his Aura and projected a ripple of sound downstream, into the waters.
Splash!
From beneath the stone bridge emerged a massive, serpentine creature—a shimmering blue-scaled Gyarados burst through the water's surface.
"Rooaarrr… Finally! I've been waiting here for two weeks, boy. I thought you weren't coming back!" Gyarados beamed with delight, swiftly swimming over to greet him.
"I only just got back. The summer camp ended yesterday," Ash smiled. "But I always keep my promises. Gyarados, you might not trust others—but you can trust me."
"Now, let me help improve your potential," Ash said, stepping forward.
"Roooarrr~" Gyarados closed its eyes and lowered its massive head with uncharacteristic gentleness.
To most Trainers, Gyarados was synonymous with rage and destruction—feared even more than Beedrill or Arbok in the wild. For such a beast to act so docile toward a child was unthinkable.
If anyone else had witnessed this scene, they would've been stunned beyond belief.
[Pokémon: Gyarados]
Level: 23
Type: Water + Flying
Nature: Arrogant
Ability: Intimidate
Potential: Red (Elite) [+1%]
Skills (Copyable):
Bite, Leer, Tackle, Thrash, Whirlpool, Brine, Scary Face, Waterfall, Rain Dance
Twister, Splash, Ice Fang, Aqua Tail, Dragon Dance
—
Gyarados's current potential tier was Red (Elite). Using [Source Cleansing], Ash could raise a Pokémon's potential growth by 0.5% with each infusion.
The first time was back at summer camp, during the fishing activity—just before Gyarados was about to be released, Ash had enhanced it once with Source Cleansing.
Now, with a second infusion, that growth reached 1%.
To elevate Gyarados to the next major tier of potential, he'd need at least half a year of training and several more enhancements.
But Ash wasn't worried.
He had time—and now, he had trust.
--------------
T/N:
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