Furthermore, Ash possessed exceptional personal strength, enormous popularity and fame, extensive knowledge, and the recognition of Professor Oak, a leading authority in the academic world.
On top of all that, during his own attempts to achieve and master Mega Evolution, he had conducted a series of logical, well-organized, and methodical studies.
Even though the theories Ash had proposed still needed further research and verification, all of these factors combined gave Professor Sycamore plenty of reasons to consider Ash's theories highly credible.
In short, Ash's explanation and discussion with him had provided Sycamore with an enormous amount of precious information about Mega Evolution.
If subsequent research proved that all the theories Ash had proposed were indeed correct, then in the future, whenever Professor Sycamore published academic papers concerning Mega Evolution, Ash's name would almost certainly appear in the references and source materials.
In fact, when presenting some of his future research findings, Sycamore might even be able to list Ash as a co-author, indicating that the research had been jointly completed by the two of them.
That was not an exaggeration.
Ash had simply provided far too much valuable information, and much of what he had revealed already covered almost every major aspect of Mega Evolution.
From that point onward, Professor Sycamore would only need to verify each of Ash's theories one by one.
Once that was done, he would be able to establish a comprehensive theoretical framework for the study of Mega Evolution.
As a transmigrator, Ash's understanding came directly from the original setting itself.
The theories he had presented were therefore fundamentally correct.
What was missing were merely additional details, experimental data, and further refinement.
In other words, Ash had made an extremely significant contribution to the academic study of Mega Evolution.
If Professor Sycamore did not take credit for Ash's work, then in the near future, Ash's name would undoubtedly appear again and again in academic papers and journals concerning Mega Evolution.
And in the academic history of Mega Evolution, Ash would leave behind an unmistakable and deeply significant mark.
"Ash, I have a request. I wonder if you would be willing to agree to it."
After discussing so many aspects of Mega Evolution, Professor Sycamore suddenly spoke up.
"Oh~ What is it, Professor? If it's something I can help with, I certainly won't refuse."
Ash readily agreed in principle.
"It shouldn't be troublesome for you at all, Ash."
"I simply want to conduct some research on your Pidgeot and its Mega Evolution."
Professor Sycamore finally explained his request.
However, because he had not yet specified exactly what he intended to research, Ash did not immediately agree on impulse.
"What exactly do you mean by 'research,' Professor?"
"This trip to the Kalos region, combined with the two days I spent at my girlfriend Clarissa's home in Saffron City before coming here, means that my Pokémon have gone almost a week without proper training."
"Starting this afternoon, I'm planning to resume Pidgeot's training, so I won't be able to leave Pidgeot here at the laboratory for a long period of time."
"Besides, as a professional Trainer, allowing someone else to conduct research on my Pokémon is admittedly something that makes me a little hesitant."
Ash explained his concerns honestly.
He was not a scholar or researcher.
The reason he had come to Professor Sycamore's laboratory in the first place was partly because Sycamore himself had invited him, and Ash did not want to offend someone who had taken the initiative to reach out.
More importantly, Professor Sycamore was one of the leading figures among the researchers in the Kalos academic community.
His influence extended not only throughout the academic world, but also into the Kalos League and the professional Trainer community.
Ash was quite willing to establish a good relationship with Professor Sycamore and build a connection with someone of his standing.
If he ever needed something in the future, such a connection could prove extremely valuable.
However, Ash had already provided Sycamore with an enormous amount of useful information during their earlier discussion about Mega Evolution.
As far as Ash was concerned, he had already done his part in repaying the professor's goodwill.
There was no need for him to go any further.
Therefore, when it came to allowing Sycamore to study Pidgeot, Ash was naturally not going to be quite so generous and selfless.
"I understand."
"I simply want to measure some of Pidgeot's physical data and compare it with the physical data of wild Pidgeot."
"From there, I want to determine at what level of strength and physical condition a Pidgeot can safely attempt Mega Evolution, as well as at what stage it can fully and proficiently control the power of Mega Evolution."
"Secondly, I want to collect the Mega Evolution energy released by Pidgeot when it Mega Evolves."
"That information would be extremely important for researching the nature and origins of Mega Evolution."
"Finally, I want to record Pidgeot's appearance and physical characteristics after Mega Evolution, along with the corresponding data, so that it can be used when compiling the future Mega Pokémon Pokédex."
"I understand that professional Trainers are very wary of allowing other people to study their Pokémon."
"So I'll only perform the simple measurements I described above."
"Ash, what do you think?"
Professor Sycamore was clearly very understanding of Ash's concerns.
"That's fine."
Seeing that Professor Sycamore had not made any unreasonable demands, Ash naturally did not feel the need to be overly petty about it.
"Thank you, Ash. You've really helped me a great deal."
"To avoid interfering with your plans to train Pidgeot this afternoon, let's begin the measurements right now."
Professor Sycamore immediately moved things along.
"Sure."
Ash nodded.
He liked this kind of straightforward way of handling things.
The sooner they finished, the sooner he could get back to taking care of his own plans.
"Sophie, could you show everyone around the laboratory?"
"I'll take Ash to the examination room and conduct Pidgeot's measurements."
"Of course."
Researcher Sophie readily agreed.
She then led Serena, Clarissa Joy, and the others around the research laboratory for a tour.
Meanwhile, Ash followed Professor Sycamore into a laboratory equipped with numerous testing instruments.
Without needing Professor Sycamore to remind him, Ash decisively took out a Poké Ball and released Pidgeot.
"Pidgeot, this is Professor Sycamore from the Kalos region. He is responsible for distributing starter Pokémon to eligible new Trainers."
"He wants to measure your physical data in both your normal form and your Mega-Evolved form."
"So make sure you cooperate properly."
After releasing Pidgeot, Ash reminded it to cooperate.
"Pidgeot!"
Pidgeot obediently nodded.
"Pidgeot, I'll be counting on you."
Professor Sycamore smiled and gently stroked the feathers at the back of Pidgeot's neck before greeting it in a friendly and courteous manner.
He then picked up the equipment and began scanning and measuring Pidgeot's physical characteristics.
The process was not complicated.
Even though Professor Sycamore also took quite a few photographs of Pidgeot with a camera, the entire measurement process took less than five minutes.
"Ash, next I need to collect the Mega Evolution energy released when Pidgeot Mega Evolves."
"Could I trouble you?"
Professor Sycamore operated the energy-scanning equipment beside him as he spoke.
"Don't worry about it, Professor. Leave it to me."
Ash nodded.
He exchanged a glance with Pidgeot.
The next moment, Ash began the process of Mega Evolution.
"An evolution beyond evolution—Pidgeot, Mega Evolve!!"