Previously, when Ash acquired the S-class ability Aura Power, the strength was directly infused into his body. Even without consulting the instructions, Ash already possessed exceptionally powerful abilities.
However, Ash didn't know how to properly use that power, nor did he understand the broader applications of the ability.
But this time, upon acquiring the S-class ability, he felt no change in his body at all.
On the contrary, the C-class breeder's ability took effect immediately. As soon as Ash came out, he felt as if a multitude of knowledge had been added to his mind.
At that moment, he looked around, searching for Pikachu. Upon seeing Pikachu, he wondered how to relieve Pikachu's fatigue, and relevant massage knowledge along with some simple, matching culinary recipes popped into his mind.
This is the ability of a Junior Breeder. As the breeder Ash said, although it's basic knowledge, for a beginner like him, it's still an extremely powerful aid!
But while the C-class ability had already manifested in him, the S-class ability was nowhere to be found. Therefore, when Ash noticed another light spot in his mind, he clicked on it without hesitation.
The instructions did appear, but the one-time ability was activated as well!
The one-time ability, Chosen Radiance, allows you to encounter an extremely rare Pokémon within three days and gives a high probability of capture. Just how rare is this 'extremely rare'? There's no fixed standard. Could it really be a Legendary Beast?
But even if it was a Legendary Beast, he couldn't possibly capture it!
After encountering Ho-Oh, Ash had a clear understanding of Legendary Beasts. They aren't Pokémon that ordinary Trainers can easily handle; even a Champion with six Pokémon might not be able to defeat them.
Ash had said through tactics, give him six Elite-level, he could knock down six Champion-level, but give him six Champion-level, he couldn't even defeat one Divine Domain-level. That's the vast chasm between Champion and Divine Domain.
So even if a Legendary Beast appeared before him, he wouldn't have the possibility to capture it.
But besides Legendary Beasts, what other Pokémon could be considered extremely rare?
Ash really wanted to enter the group to ask those veterans again, but remembering the recent fierce battles, he dismissed the idea of going in.
Better to wait until tomorrow to discuss it.
Afterward, Ash placed the A-class Special Attack ability cap on Pikachu. Pikachu's Special Attack aptitude cap remained unchanged, but its ability value fluctuations disappeared, turning into B.
Ability values aren't fixed. As the level increases, the ability value will drop, and it takes some time training to raise the ability value back up.
If a Pokémon has a speed ability value of B at Ordinary Level, when it advances to Advanced Level, that B-level speed ability value could degrade to B- or even C-level.
Otherwise, if a Pokémon's ability value is A at the current level and it remains A after leveling up, isn't that akin to saying your ability value just jumped to the maximum level for that stage? The world isn't that generous.
If levels are likened to a water bottle, then ability values are the water inside. When the level increases, the height of the bottle increases, and naturally, more water needs to be added.
But Pikachu is different. After leveling up, the fluctuations in ability value remained unchanged. At Ordinary Level, the ability value fluctuated between D—B, and it's still the same at the Advanced Level.
Even the enhanced speed ability remains C—B after leveling up.
In other words, Pikachu doesn't experience a decrease in ability value as it levels up. This is simply unbelievable for Pokémon.
Yet the fluctuation of ability values is already incredible. Usually, even if a Pokémon has fluctuations, they're within the current level, like B-level fluctuating between B- to B+, how could it possibly drop to C or even D-level?
Ash used the Eye of Insight to examine many Pokémon, and only his Pikachu behaves this way…
So perhaps it's because of this reason that Pikachu doesn't experience a drop in ability value due to level increases. After all, every situation has its pros and cons.
However, with the assistance of abilities drawn from the chat group lottery, the drawbacks of Pikachu's ability fluctuations are being gradually eliminated, while the strengths remain intact.
If in the future, Pikachu's ability value could stabilize at A-level, then no matter how Pikachu levels up, the ability value could be fixed at A-level, saving an unknown amount of training time.
Thinking of this, Ash couldn't help but smile.
...
One night passed. The next morning, Brock woke up early to prepare breakfast for Ash and Misty. Ash was the second to get up. Upon seeing Brock preparing breakfast, he went over to learn how to cook from him.
With Ash assisting, Brock's speed in making breakfast increased significantly.
"Ash, have you cooked before?"
"No, I haven't."
"Really? Your basic skills seem solid. Whether it's chopping vegetables, adjusting the flame, or responding to my instructions on ingredient weights, you don't seem like a novice."
"Uh… maybe I'm just a natural at cooking, hahaha~" Ash laughed it off, covering up his unusual competence.
The reason Ash could perform those basic operations so proficiently was, of course, due to the Junior Breeder ability he acquired yesterday.
The Junior Breeder ability encompasses all fundamental aspects of being a breeder, including cooking… preparing food for Pokémon is also a vital skill for a breeder, which explains Ash's adeptness in chopping vegetables now.
Quickly, the delicious breakfast was ready, and Misty woke up from her sleeping bag, lured by the rich aroma.
After freshening up, Misty came to the makeshift dining table and almost teared up looking at the lavish breakfast.
How long… how long has it been since she had such a sumptuous breakfast outdoors!
No, she'd never had such a lavish breakfast outdoors. Since leaving Cerulean City, it's been a routine of eating quick snacks or simply skipping breakfast and cycling to the nearest town's restaurant for a meal.
Traveling with Ash hadn't changed the situation either, as neither of them were good at cooking.
Finally, a cook is in the team!
What a blessing!
"What… munch munch… you're saying Ash helped too… munch munch… No way, yesterday he didn't help at all." Misty expressed her disbelief while eating a thick omelet.
"Uh… didn't I observe Brock's cooking methods yesterday so I could assist properly!"
"Really? If you can cook, why did we eat quick snacks every day before?"
"I can only cook some basic dishes, and cooking outdoors is troublesome, so I just opted for quick meals."
"..."
After much explaining, Ash managed to gloss over his prior inexperience in cooking.
After eating to their satisfaction, the group packed up and headed into Moon Mountain, unaware that three sneaky figures were quietly following them.