The Shiny Fennekin possessed the Mage Ability, which meant it had an innate talent for magical cultivation. However, if it truly wanted to embark on the path of magic, it would still need an appropriate cultivation technique.
Back when Ash had first discovered how to cultivate the Viridian Force, he hadn't needed to spend too much effort figuring it out. Even so, the method had only come about through a combination of fortunate coincidences, unexpected discoveries, and countless experiments conducted through trial and error.
As for the Listening to All Things Meditation Method used to cultivate Aura, Ash had stumbled upon it by pure chance on a Psychic forum in Saffron City.
He had to admit that a certain amount of protagonist's luck had been involved in both discoveries.
Furthermore, not long after Ash had downloaded and saved the Listening to All Things Meditation Method, the original poster who had shared it on the forum deleted the post.
It was likely that very few people even knew about that meditation method.
Ash's ability to obtain the cultivation methods for both Aura and the Viridian Force so easily had, to a considerable extent, been thanks to his protagonist's luck.
However, if the future Trainer of this Shiny Fennekin discovered its talent for magical cultivation and wanted to guide it down the path of magic, obtaining the necessary cultivation method would probably not be an easy task.
The very first obstacle standing in their way would be finding a suitable cultivation technique.
In the Pokémon world, the Kanto and Johto regions belonged to what could broadly be considered the Eastern part of the world. Traditionally, professions that emphasized the pursuit of personal strength were relatively common there, including monks, samurai, and ninjas.
Meanwhile, in the Western regions of the world, such as Kalos and Galar, traditional professions centered around individual combat prowess were somewhat different. Mages, rangers, and knights were more commonly found there.
Ash was currently in the Kalos region, which belonged to the Western part of the Pokémon world.
Just like the Gervant family, the family behind Elite Four member Wikstrom, there were undoubtedly other ancient and prestigious families in Kalos that had inherited the traditions of knighthood and knightly cultivation.
Ash believed that there must also be families in Kalos that possessed ancient traditions of magical cultivation.
However, cultivation techniques were the very foundation of a family's inheritance. They were closely guarded secrets, and outsiders would find it extremely difficult to obtain them.
After all, not everyone was as fortunate as Ash, who seemed to have the protagonist's luck on his side.
'Besides, this Shiny Fennekin isn't even one of my Pokémon. Even if it can't embark on the path of magical cultivation in the future and ends up wasting its natural talent, what does that have to do with me?'
Ash couldn't help giving himself a wry smile.
He felt that he was worrying far too much about something that wasn't even his responsibility.
"Fennekin~!"
On the laboratory's scanning platform, the Shiny Fennekin had just finished its comprehensive health examination. It immediately leaped into Ash's arms again, seemingly unable to wait another moment to be close to him.
Having only just hatched from its Egg, the little Fennekin was still very much a baby Pokémon. Like a young child, it was deeply attached to Ash, whom it regarded as its closest companion.
Seeing the little Pokémon nuzzle against him and rub its head affectionately against his chest, Ash gently stroked its head.
However, this time, he didn't spend too long playing or interacting with the little one.
Instead, Ash picked up the Shiny Fennekin and prepared to hand it over to Professor Sycamore.
"Fennekin?"
The little Pokémon looked up at Ash with a puzzled expression as he held it out toward the professor.
Seeing Ash offering him the Shiny Fennekin, and then noticing the boundless attachment in the little Pokémon's eyes whenever it looked at Ash, Sycamore's expression softened.
He didn't reach out to accept the rare and precious Shiny Fennekin.
Although a Shiny Pokémon was rare and valuable, that was mainly from a Trainer's perspective. For a researcher like Sycamore, it wasn't quite as precious as ordinary people might imagine.
The academic community had already conducted extensive research into differently colored Pokémon, commonly known as Shiny Pokémon.
Their unusual coloration was generally understood to be a form of variation caused by environmental influences, allowing Pokémon to adapt to their surroundings, or the result of genetic traits reverting to those of distant ancestors.
There were still many different theories concerning the precise mechanisms behind such variations, but to Sycamore, Shiny Pokémon were not particularly mysterious or extraordinary.
Although Shiny Pokémon often possessed excellent natural talent, their unusual coloration alone wasn't enough to make them irreplaceable.
Now, with Ash holding out the Shiny Fennekin toward him, Sycamore didn't accept it.
Instead, he looked seriously at Ash and spoke.
"Ash, could I ask you for a favor?"
Sycamore asked.
"Oh? What is it? If it's something I can help with, I'll naturally do my best."
Ash smiled.
"It's not particularly difficult for you. I'd like to ask you to adopt and take care of this Fennekin."
Sycamore's request left Ash somewhat surprised.
This Fennekin was not only a Shiny Pokémon with exceptional natural talent, but it had also come from the official Pokémon League Day Care in Lumiose City.
As one of the starter Pokémon distributed by a regional Pokémon League, every individual Pokémon had to be properly documented and accounted for.
Yet Sycamore was actually entrusting such a rare and precious Pokémon to him.
For a moment, Ash was rather taken aback.
He even wondered whether Sycamore was doing this because of the slight awkwardness that had arisen between them earlier over Pidgeot's Mega Evolution.
Perhaps the professor wanted to use this opportunity to repair their relationship.
Or perhaps, considering how much valuable information Ash had provided about Mega Evolution, Sycamore wanted to repay him in some way.
"Professor, there's no need to do something like this."
Ash quickly shook his head.
"I shared the information about Mega Evolution with you voluntarily. I was also happy to help with your research. You don't need to give me anything in return."
"Ash, you've misunderstood."
Sycamore smiled and waved his hand.
"Hmm? Misunderstood?"
Ash looked at him with some confusion.
"Ash, I want you to adopt this Fennekin for reasons that have nothing to do with the Mega Evolution research."
"I know that you're a generous and open-minded person. You shared such important information about Mega Evolution with me without expecting anything in return."
"The reason I want to entrust this Fennekin to you is very simple: you saved its life."
"The conflict and rejection between its developing attribute genes was a problem that neither the medical community nor the biological sciences currently knew how to solve."
"Before you intervened, everyone had essentially given up hope of saving it."
"But the moment you brought it back from the brink of death, this little one had already become yours in its heart."
"It's the one who understands that better than anyone. That's why it's so attached to you and constantly wants to be near you."
"Considering how strongly it has bonded with you, I doubt it would ever acknowledge or willingly follow another Trainer."
Sycamore paused briefly before continuing.
"There's another very important reason."
"Trainers naturally seek out Pokémon with outstanding talent. But the reverse is also true: Pokémon with exceptional natural talent long for Trainers who possess equally extraordinary abilities."
"After all, only a Trainer with outstanding talent can fully develop and draw out a Pokémon's potential, transforming its natural gifts into genuine strength."
"And Ash, your talent as a Trainer is the most exceptional I've ever encountered."
"If this little one can grow up alongside a Trainer as gifted as you, that will be its good fortune."
With that, Sycamore gently pushed the little Fennekin back into Ash's arms.
His expression was sincere and earnest.
He genuinely hoped Ash would accept the little Pokémon.
The Shiny Fennekin nestled comfortably against Ash, its eyes looking up at him with complete trust.
And just like that, a new bond was about to be formed.