[Newbie Ash: I think I get it. So the Insight Eye basically lets me see a Pokémon's aptitude in terms of stats, right?]
[Breeder Ash: That's just the surface. At my level, one glance can tell me a Pokémon's strength, its stat ceilings, its breeding condition, its known moves, even its fighting habits.]
[Breeder Ash: My ability is really S-rank. Since you pulled only the A-rank version, you don't have everything I can do. But trust me, it's plenty for daily use.]
Ash felt his heart race. First Wave Power, now this. The Wave Power alone could stand against Legendary Pokémon, and now he had another ability from one of his future selves. Even if this Insight Eye only did a fraction of what Breeder Ash described, it was still incredible.
Having predecessors pave the road for him? It felt amazing.
[Newbie Ash: So how do I use Insight Eye? Do I activate it like a move?]
[Breeder Ash: Do you think it's Thunderbolt? It's instinct. Just look at a Pokémon, and the data will surface on its own. Think of it as a passive skill. You'll understand the moment you try.]
[Newbie Ash: But I don't even know the level system. Won't I just see numbers I don't get?]
[Breeder Ash: If you'd gotten the full S-rank, the chat would've directly implanted the knowledge into your head. With A-rank, you'll still see levels, Champion, Elite, Gym, whatever, but you'll have to compare them against the guide I'll send.]
Ash scribbled notes in his head. He'd never been this serious even when Professor Oak was lecturing.
[Breeder Ash: For reference, the scale goes Novice → Normal → Advanced → Superior → Professional → Gym → Elite → Champion → God-Tier. When you use Insight Eye, the rank will pop up clearly.]
[Newbie Ash: Got it! Noted!]
Ash pumped his fist quietly. At this rate, he might actually become a real pro.
[Newbie Ash: Then what about that C-rank ability? Is it… just running faster?]
[Breeder Ash: No, that one's for Pokémon. Remember how I said stat aptitudes go from S down to E? With this, if your Pokémon's Speed aptitude is below C, it instantly rises to C. If it's already higher, the effect stacks, and it can even break through its natural ceiling.]
[Champion Ash: Which is why we said your luck's insane. That C-rank is one of the most practical draws in the whole pool. Way better than stuff like "the optimal condiment combo for dinner."]
[Newbie Ash: …]
Ash nearly tripped. 'Wait, useless abilities like that exist?! Don't tell me it was that Unlucky Ash who pulled that one first…'
Unlucky Ash, who was fishing quietly in his own world, suddenly sneezed. He looked around suspiciously, rubbed his nose, then decided the sea breeze must be too cold and pulled on another jacket.
[Champion Ash: Have you reached Viridian City yet?]
[Newbie Ash: Not yet, but I should get there tomorrow.]
[Champion Ash: That's already pretty fast. One warning, don't challenge the Viridian Gym. Don't ask why. Only when you've reached Gym-level strength should you even think about it.]
[Newbie Ash: Uh… okay, I understand.]
Ash tilted his head, puzzled. He hadn't even known Viridian City had a Gym until now. If Champion Ash hadn't mentioned it, he might have marched straight over after registering.
But if the strongest version of himself was warning him away, then fine, he'd shelve that plan for now.
After giving his farewells in the chat, Ash exited the group and returned to reality.
Although the conversation had felt long, only about ten minutes had passed. Outside, the rain had just stopped. Misty, still leaning lazily against her bicycle, yawned without noticing Ash, who had been sitting with his eyes closed like he was meditating.
Honestly, with this kind of damp, chilly weather, a bed and blanket sounded way more appealing than more walking.
Ash shook his head and turned to Pikachu. At once, strange lines of information shimmered into his vision.
[Species: Pikachu]
[Gender: Male]
[Level: Normal – Advanced]
[Ability: Static]
[Moves: Quick Attack, Thunder Shock, XXXXX]
[Base Stats Range: Attack D—B (A) | Sp. Atk D—B (A) | Defense E—C (A) | Sp. Def E—C (A) | HP D—B (A) | Speed D—B+ (A)]
Looking at Pikachu's six-dimensional attributes, Ash's head almost had tangible question marks appearing above it.
What kind of weird "six-dimensional attributes" were these, anyway?
D—B… Did that mean Pikachu's stats fluctuated somewhere between D and B? Did regular Pokémon's ability values really swing around that much?
And then there was the kicker, every one of Pikachu's upper limits sat neatly at A-rank.
Ash blinked. 'Wait. A-rank?'
According to the lottery wheel's grading, A was already an extremely rare aptitude, second only to the mythical S-rank.
Did that mean his Pikachu was actually a hidden gem?
The problem was those stat swings. Fluctuating by three whole ranks? A single rank already made a huge difference in battle. How could his partner be bouncing up and down like a yo-yo?
Or maybe Pikachu was just special.
Unfortunately, with no other Pokémon to compare against, Ash couldn't confirm anything yet.
Still, this ability was ridiculously convenient. Not only could he see base stats and potential, but also species, gender, ability, moves, and level, all at a glance. It was like having a living Pokédex wired straight into his brain.
Of course, like Breeder Ash had said, his Insight Eye was incomplete, and the cracks showed.
For example, Pikachu's Ability.
Ash could clearly see it listed as Static.
But… what exactly was Static supposed to be?
He stared at the word for a moment, scratching his cheek.
"Electrostatic… is that, like, when you rub a balloon on your head and your hair stands up? What kind of battle effect is that supposed to be?"
Pikachu: 『Σ(ﾟдﾟlll)』