In the original story, Clemont eventually developed and created an intelligent robot known as Clembot.
He even entrusted it with managing Lumiose Gym, and it handled the Gym's affairs in an orderly and efficient manner.
With the anime from his previous life serving as a reference, Ash naturally had complete confidence in Clemont.
"By the way, Clemont, regarding the development of the intelligent robot..."
"If possible, I'd like the robot you eventually create to possess autonomous learning capabilities."
"It should be able to upgrade and update its own programming according to its owner's instructions."
"After we leave on our journeys, neither of us will be at the Gym all the time."
"If some unexpected accident occurs and the robot's body gets damaged, I'd like it to be capable of assessing the situation and repairing the damaged parts of its own body."
"There's also the material used to manufacture the robot."
"I don't want ordinary metal."
"I want a new type of alloy with considerably greater strength..."
Ash also put forward several of his own ideas and requirements regarding the robot Clemont was developing.
As for the cost of the materials and everything else required to build the intelligent robot, Ash immediately promised to provide the funding himself.
In the original story, Clemont's robot, Clembot, accidentally tripped and fell, leaving a dent in its head.
Ash absolutely didn't want something like that happening to his own robot.
After all, unlike Clemont, he wasn't a genius inventor.
Once Ash eventually entrusted Viridian Gym to an intelligent robot, if something went wrong with it, he wouldn't be able to repair it whenever he wanted.
And Kanto was separated from Kalos by an enormous distance.
If the robot had to be shipped all the way back to Clemont for repairs, the round trip alone would consume a tremendous amount of time.
Since that was the case, Ash would rather spend more money from the beginning and use stricter standards, higher specifications, better technology, and superior materials to create a more perfect and trouble-free intelligent robot.
After all, there was only one thing Ash lacked right now.
And that was not money.
"Okay~ Leave it to me."
"Don't worry."
"Autonomous learning and autonomous updating can both be handled by configuring the appropriate functions in the core program."
"Once that's done, they won't be a problem."
"As for repairing its own damaged body, I'll simply program it with knowledge related to mechanical manufacturing and maintenance."
"Once the robot masters those skills, all we'll need to do is prepare enough replacement parts and materials at the Gym."
"..."
"..."
Clemont was a genius inventor.
Although Ash himself knew nothing about scientific invention, as a transmigrator, he possessed memories and knowledge from his previous life.
This allowed him to function almost like a high-quality, deep-pocketed client.
He frequently offered suggestions, but unlike the unreasonable demands of an ordinary client, his ideas were genuinely innovative, constructive, and capable of positively contributing to the research.
And Clemont, being a genius inventor himself, possessed tremendous execution ability.
He also loved these highly innovative concepts and the high-standard yet feasible requirements Ash proposed.
That was one of the reasons why Ash and Clemont got along so well.
It was also why Clemont regarded Ash as a true confidant.
"By the way, Ash."
"Recently, one of the Kalos Elite Four, the Steel-type Elite Four member Wikstrom, has been traveling throughout the Kalos region giving lectures about the spirit of knighthood and conducting knightly trials."
"His next stop happens to be Lumiose City."
"The event is the day after tomorrow."
"Would you be interested in coming?"
After they finished discussing the development and construction of the intelligent robot, Clemont suddenly remembered something and turned to ask Ash.
"One of the Kalos Elite Four, the Steel-type Elite Four member Wikstrom?"
"A lecture about the spirit of knighthood and a knightly trial?"
Ash's eyes immediately lit up with interest.
After all, Wikstrom was an Elite Four member.
He was a genuine Elite-level powerhouse.
Trainers at that level were extremely rare, and Elite-level strength already represented one of the highest stages in the Pokémon Trainer profession.
Among Ash's current first-team aces, Pikachu had already taken the first step into the Pseudo-Elite Four threshold.
His other three Pokémon were also approaching that level.
And once they crossed that threshold, they would officially enter the Elite Four level.
Being able to communicate with an Elite Four-level powerhouse and observe the Pokémon of someone at that level would undoubtedly be extremely beneficial to Ash's future development.
Although Ash had been receiving instruction from his teacher, Giovanni, a Champion-level powerhouse, for quite some time, and Professor Oak was also a former Champion-level powerhouse...
His relationship with the former was complicated.
If Ash continuously accepted instruction from Giovanni without having anyone else to use as a reference or comparison, without hearing other people's knowledge or experiencing other people's philosophies and convictions, he could easily become trapped inside a knowledge bubble.
And once someone became trapped inside such a bubble, they could easily develop blind confidence.
Their view of the world would become narrow, one-sided, and stubborn.
Eventually, that could lead them to make mistakes when facing critical decisions.
To prevent that from happening, Ash continued to read and study on his own even while following Giovanni and receiving his instruction.
He deliberately broadened his knowledge and exposed himself to ideas from the outside world.
As for Professor Oak, although he was a former Champion-level powerhouse, he had retired many years ago.
Most of his time and energy were now devoted to academic research.
The world was changing rapidly.
Knowledge was constantly being updated and replaced.
Because Oak didn't want to give incorrect advice to younger Trainers like Ash and Gary, he rarely offered them guidance in professional Trainer fields such as capturing, raising, and battling with Pokémon.
Meyer, Clemont's father, was also an Elite-level powerhouse.
However, he was a hidden expert who deliberately lived an ordinary life.
Ash couldn't casually expose his identity.
Moreover, their relationship wasn't close enough for Ash to simply approach him and ask for advice.
But now...
An Elite Four-level powerhouse was going to hold a public lecture and openly present his philosophy, convictions, and understanding of the path of a Pokémon Trainer.
There was absolutely no reason for Ash to miss such an opportunity.
However, seeing Ash staring blankly into the distance and remaining silent for quite some time, Clemont mistakenly assumed that Ash had some reservations.
"Mr. Wikstrom is one of the Kalos Elite Four."
"And I'm the Gym Leader of a League-affiliated Gym."
"Although there isn't actually a formal rule saying so, in practice, the Elite Four can be considered something like our superiors."
"So whenever Elite Four member Wikstrom visits different cities to conduct his touring lectures, Gym Leaders stationed in those cities will naturally help promote the event."
"Besides, as an Elite-level powerhouse, listening to Mr. Wikstrom's views on the path of a Pokémon Trainer will actually be very beneficial for us as well."
"In fact, when Mr. Wikstrom arrives in Lumiose City the day after tomorrow, I'll definitely go and attend the lecture."
Clemont adjusted his glasses as he spoke.
After hearing Clemont's explanation, Ash finally snapped back to reality.
He realized that Clemont had misunderstood him.
Ash shook his head and explained:
"Clemont, you've misunderstood."
"An Elite-level powerhouse is coming here to give a lecture."
"How could I possibly miss such a great opportunity?"
"Don't worry. I'll definitely be there the day after tomorrow."
"Me too!"
"Same here!"
Tierno and Trevor, who were standing nearby, also spoke up excitedly.
The prospect of seeing a genuine Elite Four member had clearly caught their attention as well.
"..."
"..."
For Ash, however, the meaning was even greater.
He wasn't merely going to watch a lecture.
He wanted to see how a true Elite Four-level Trainer understood the path ahead.
He wanted to compare Wikstrom's philosophy with Giovanni's.
He wanted to observe the way an Elite Four member trained and commanded Pokémon.
And perhaps, hidden within Wikstrom's knightly teachings, there was something that could help Ash take another step forward.
The opportunity had come at exactly the right time.
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