As far as Ash knew, the supernatural abilities that had been discovered in the Pokémon world so far included [Psychokinesis, Dragon Power, Viridian Force, Aura, the Power of the Unown], and several others.
Because [Psychokinesis] was by far the most commonly encountered supernatural ability in the Pokémon world, ordinary people generally equated "Psychic abilities" with Psychokinesis.
Aside from Psychokinesis, however, the other abilities—Dragon Power, Viridian Force, Aura, the Power of the Unown, and so on—were all incredibly rare and obscure hidden powers that most ordinary people had never even heard of.
However, Psychic abilities were awakened innately and had an extremely deep connection with a person's bloodline and genes.
Apart from these innate powers originating from one's bloodline, the human world of Pokémon also possessed certain acquired forms of power.
These acquired powers were connected to several ancient and traditional professions. Through exploring specific cultivation methods, humans could gradually train and develop extraordinary abilities.
For example: a samurai's inner strength, a ninja's chakra, a knight's fighting spirit, and a mage's magical power…
As for the supernatural abilities naturally awakened by humans, Ash himself possessed [Aura] and [Viridian Force].
Although he knew that other supernatural abilities existed in the Pokémon world, he did not understand them particularly well. In fact, he had yet to encounter another genuine Psychic user in person.
Of course, Giovanni was an exception because his abilities originated from the Viridian Force, while Ashtwo possessed Aura.
Still, although Ash was not particularly knowledgeable about the various human supernatural abilities, there was one thing he was certain of.
Whether in the original anime or in the world he currently lived in, Ash had never heard of any Pokémon awakening a human-style "supernatural ability."
Therefore, the special power he had just sensed from the Noctowl could first be ruled out as an innate human Psychic ability.
Could it be some kind of special power acquired through cultivation?
Ash fell into thought.
Among the ancient human professions capable of cultivating extraordinary powers…
A samurai's inner strength was essentially an advanced form of physical vitality and blood energy. In certain aspects, it bore considerable similarities to the physical power contained within Fighting-type Pokémon.
Ash had previously cultivated such power while practicing Jujutsu and Laijutsu.
But the special power emanating from the Noctowl he had just sensed was clearly not the inner strength cultivated by samurai.
As for the elusive ninja profession, although Ash had never encountered a real ninja or personally sensed chakra within a ninja's body, he imagined that chakra, as the power behind ninjutsu, should lean toward a colder and darker energy.
After all, the very nature of the ninja profession was associated with concealment, assassination, and darkness.
As for the world of Naruto…
Those people could hardly even be considered ordinary ninjas anymore. They belonged to the power system of a high-level martial-arts fantasy world. After all, the origin of power in the Naruto world could ultimately be traced back to extraterrestrials.
Could people like that really still be called "ninjas"?
Therefore, chakra could also be ruled out.
The power Ash had sensed from the Noctowl was certainly mysterious and unusual, but it felt calm, balanced, and peaceful.
There was none of the cold, sinister, or dark sensation he would expect from chakra.
Then could it be the fighting spirit cultivated by knights?
Yesterday, during Wikstrom's Knight's Way lecture, Ash had taken the stage and fought a demonstration match against him.
Later that afternoon, Ash had also participated in the Knight's Trial at the Castle of Chivalry and personally crossed hands with Wikstrom again.
As the current head of the Kalos knightly family—the Gervant family—Wikstrom was not only an Elite Four-level Pokémon Trainer.
His own physical strength was also extraordinarily powerful.
The Gervant family possessed a legacy of the [Fighting Spirit Secret Manual], meaning Wikstrom had cultivated an extremely substantial amount of fighting spirit within his body.
Ash had personally sensed this power during their battle yesterday.
After comparing that memory with the strange energy he had just detected from the Noctowl, Ash quickly realized that the power within the Noctowl was not fighting spirit either.
Then… could it be magic?
The thought suddenly flashed through Ash's mind.
Before this, Ash had not believed that mages actually existed in this world.
That was, until yesterday.
When he fought Wikstrom, Ash discovered that this knight was not merely putting on an impressive show.
He genuinely possessed the extraordinary power known as fighting spirit—a fantastical energy that should only have existed in a fantasy world.
If this world had knights and fighting spirit, then there was no reason why it could not also have mages and magic.
And that morning, at Professor Sycamore's laboratory, Ash had captured the Shiny Fennekin.
When he checked its information through the system panel, he discovered that its ability was not [Magician].
It was Mage.
The fact that his little Shiny Fennekin possessed an innate talent for cultivating magic had only strengthened Ash's belief in the existence of magical power.
Now, after suddenly discovering an extremely mysterious and unfamiliar power within a Noctowl—something he had never seen or sensed before—Ash went through the possibilities one by one.
After eliminating the various alternatives, his suspicion ultimately settled on one possibility.
Magic.
A mage's magical power.
"In fantasy worlds, mages often like raising owls as magical familiars and messengers."
Ash's eyes narrowed slightly.
"So… could the power within this Noctowl actually be magical energy?"
If this had happened before, Ash probably would not have paid much attention to it.
Even if magic really existed in this world, it would have nothing to do with him.
After all, he already possessed supernatural abilities.
Not just one, but two.
That was more than enough for him to cultivate.
And in Ash's opinion, neither Viridian Force nor Aura was inferior to magic.
Furthermore, magic cultivation required innate talent.
Since Ash himself had never demonstrated any particular talent for magic, even if this power existed, there was no reason for him to believe that he could obtain it.
But things were different now.
Ash had captured a Shiny Fennekin that possessed an innate talent for magical cultivation.
Since Fennekin possessed the talent to cultivate magic, there was no reason for Ash not to find a way to obtain a proper magical cultivation method for it.
Any outstanding Trainer would do the same.
Even an ordinary, competent Trainer, upon discovering that one of their Pokémon possessed a particular innate talent, would try everything possible to uncover, develop, and maximize that potential.
In fact, from the very moment Ash captured the little Shiny Fennekin, he had already begun planning how he could obtain a magical cultivation method for it.
The problem was that he had no connections in this area.
He simply had no idea where to begin.
Moreover, Fennekin had only just hatched and was still in its infancy, so Ash was not particularly anxious about the matter.
Especially after leaving Professor Sycamore's laboratory that afternoon, he had encountered Celosia outside the park and ended up being delayed by the Team Flare incident.
But now, the Team Flare matter had essentially been resolved.
Next, according to Ash's plans, while he remained in Kalos and spent time with Serena, he had several things he wanted to accomplish.
Besides training his Pokémon, helping Pikachu comprehend [Mental Willpower], and conducting [Beak Weapon Enchantment Reinforcement Training] for Fearow…
He also needed to find a way to obtain a magical cultivation method for his little Shiny Fennekin.
And now, the mysterious power emanating from that Noctowl might just be the first clue that could lead him to it.