However, comprehending a Mental Will was by no means an easy task.
If someone attempted to comprehend one casually, without first thinking carefully about the direction they wanted to take or the goal they wished to achieve, then even if they ultimately succeeded, the resulting Mental Will would probably be far from satisfactory.
The enhancements it could provide to a Pokémon would likely be pitifully small.
If someone comprehended a random Mental Will simply for the sake of breaking through to the Elite Four level, then they would essentially be wasting one of the greatest opportunities available to them—a chance to take a shortcut and overtake others on the road to becoming stronger.
Even if they successfully broke through to the Elite Four level afterward, their strength would probably leave them at the very bottom of that tier.
According to Professor Oak and Ash's teacher, Giovanni, many families that had produced Elite Four-level powerhouses even possessed fixed lineages of inherited Mental Wills.
To comprehend one of these inherited Mental Wills, a person needed to understand the relevant knowledge and information, know exactly what to do during the process of comprehension, and discover the environment and state of mind most conducive to achieving enlightenment.
Mental Wills came in all shapes and forms.
A powerful Mental Will could often allow a family to flourish for generations and remain prosperous without decline.
The knightly Gervant Family behind Wikstrom was clearly one such prestigious family possessing a specific inherited Mental Will.
The Knight's Will and Will to Protect that Wikstrom had introduced during his lecture were both High-quality Mental Wills with a total enhancement of 60%.
Although neither of these two Mental Wills possessed any special trait Buffs, they were still extraordinarily powerful.
Pikachu is a pure Electric-type Pokémon. Its battle style focuses on high Speed and explosive offensive power.
So when it eventually comprehends its Mental Will, it would be best if it provided enormous enhancements to Speed and Special Attack. And if it also had a trait Buff that enhanced Electric-type abilities, that would be even better.
As for Greninja, it follows a dual-blade fighting style and the path of a ninja. It relies on its Ability, Protean, to deal damage.
Therefore, the ideal Mental Will for it would enhance Speed, Special Attack, Attack, and its Ability.
Pidgeot follows an agile offensive path, so the ideal Mental Will for it would provide enhancements to Speed, Special Attack, and the Flying type.
Fearow also follows an agile offensive path, but its "offense" is focused on physical Attack rather than Special Attack.
Therefore, the ideal Mental Will for it would enhance Speed and Attack. If it also possessed trait Buffs that enhanced Flying-type attacks, increased critical-hit rate, improved armor penetration, or something similar, that would be even better.
Ash was filled with anticipation and longing when he thought about comprehending Mental Wills.
However, he didn't dwell on the matter for too long.
The time had now reached 11:00 a.m.
Wikstrom had finished his lecture on the Knight's Way, and the three exhibition matches were about to begin.
Although Ash would be the final participant of the three exhibition matches, he still needed to go to the waiting room with Wrench and Clemont to prepare for his turn.
"Rotom, did you record Elite Four Wikstrom's entire lecture?"
As Ash prepared to stand, he turned toward the Rotom hovering in midair and asked.
"Already recorded it, Rotom~ ^_^"
"I recorded the sections on the [Knightly Spirit], [Knight's Way], and [Will to Protect] separately. Each video was originally about an hour long. I edited out the audience interactions and other meaningless content, leaving thirty minutes of useful material in each video."
"You can call them up and review them whenever you need them in the future, Ash."
Rotom had been helping Ash handle all kinds of miscellaneous tasks for a long time.
Although its level had only risen from LV.21 to LV.25 after all this time, and its combat ability wasn't particularly impressive, Rotom's ability to handle affairs was excellent.
Its coordination with Ash was also remarkably smooth.
Ash didn't even need to give it detailed instructions. Rotom could often understand what he wanted simply by sensing his intentions.
"Mm-hmm. Nicely done."
Ash praised Rotom before getting to his feet and preparing to head to the waiting room to get ready for his own match.
"Serena, Clarissa, Misty… I'm heading to the waiting room first."
Ash called out to everyone before leaving with Clemont and Wrench.
"All right! Good luck in your battle, Ash! And Clemont, too! We'll be cheering for all of you with everything we've got!"
Serena and the others excitedly encouraged them.
They weren't professional Trainers, so they didn't have particularly high expectations when it came to Pokémon battles.
For them, the biggest attraction of Wikstrom's event today was the fact that Ash and Clemont would actually take the field and battle him.
During Wikstrom's lecture earlier, the girls hadn't exactly been falling asleep from boredom, but they certainly hadn't been particularly interested either.
"Good. With all of you cheering us on, I'm sure I'll be able to put on the most exciting battle possible."
Ash smiled and gave them an "OK" gesture before following Clemont and Wrench into the waiting room.
…
…
Wikstrom had just finished his three-hour lecture.
After a ten-minute intermission, the exhibition matches officially began.
"Everyone has been sitting here listening to me speak for three hours. I wonder if any of you fell asleep."
"But I believe the event we're about to begin will bring a little more excitement and energy to everyone."
"I imagine all of you already know what comes next."
"That's right—the exhibition matches!"
"How about it? Are you excited?"
Standing on the stage, Wikstrom asked the audience in a booming voice.
"Woohoo…!"
"Roar…!"
"Absolutely!!"
The spectators throughout the venue answered in unison.
"Hahaha… Don't worry, you're not the only ones excited. I'm looking forward to it myself!"
"So, without further ado, let's welcome our first guest Trainer for today's exhibition matches—Wrench!"
"Woohoo…!"
"Roar…!"
The moment Wikstrom finished speaking, the venue erupted into thunderous cheers.
"I'll get going, then~"
Back in the waiting room, Wrench said goodbye to Ash and Clemont before making his final preparations to take the field.
"Good luck! ×2"
Ash and Clemont nodded and encouraged the Trainer they had only recently met.
"Up next is the battle between Lumiose City Trainer Wrench and Kalos League Elite Four member, Steel-type Elite Four Wikstrom!"
"The battle format will be a one-on-one match!"
"Now, both Trainers, please send out the Pokémon you have prepared for battle."
Wrench stepped onto the battlefield and took his position at one end of the arena.
At the same time, the referee at the side of the field gave the signal that the battle was ready to begin.
"Chesnaught, today's opponent is Elite Four Wikstrom. You'd better show him what you've got! Go!"
On the left side of the battlefield, Wrench removed a Poké Ball from his Trainer belt and threw it forward.
Wikstrom likewise took a Poké Ball from his Trainer belt, pressed the button in its center to enlarge it, and then hurled it onto the field.
"Probopass, let's have a fierce and spectacular battle."
"Chik!"
The crisp sounds of the Poké Balls opening rang out one after another.
At the same time, the two Pokémon appeared on the battlefield.
The first exhibition match had officially begun.