Besides Professor Oak, the senior neighbor from his hometown, Ash also had Giovanni as his teacher. Naturally, Ash already knew what was required to break through from the peak of Gym-Class strength to the Elite Four level.
"Ash, for a Pokémon at the peak of Gym-Class strength to break through to the Elite Four level, it actually has to meet conditions like these?" Serena asked curiously.
Shauna, Tierno, and Trevor also turned toward Ash with curious expressions.
Unlike Clarissa, who came from a prestigious family, or Clemont and Misty, who were both Gym Leaders and had Elite Four-level powerhouses among their family elders, Tierno and Trevor came from ordinary families just like Ash. However, unlike Ash, they didn't have a powerful master to guide them.
Naturally, they had no idea about the secrets behind breaking through to the Elite Four level.
"Mm-hmm~"
Seeing Tierno and the others looking at him curiously, Ash nodded.
"Although the Elite Four level isn't the peak or ultimate destination of a Pokémon Trainer's career, reaching it truly means stepping into the ranks of the strongest. And breaking through to the Elite Four level really does have an extremely high barrier."
"Just like Elite Four Wikstrom said, no matter how talented a Pokémon is, under normal training and practical battle experience, its strength can only reach the peak of Gym-Class at most."
"And breaking through to the Elite Four level isn't something that can be achieved simply by raising a Pokémon's level, increasing its move proficiency, and improving its basic six attributes. That entire method of cultivation can only take a Pokémon as far as the peak of Gym-Class."
"To continue advancing beyond that point, the method of cultivation itself has to change."
"One must move beyond physical training and begin pursuing spiritual enlightenment. The Pokémon has to achieve true self-understanding and comprehend the [Mental Will] that best represents its own nature. Then, with the power of that Mental Will, the liquid power within its body can begin transforming into a solid state."
"And breaking through to the Champion level afterward requires comprehending the power of nature. Beyond that comes the momentum of Heaven and Earth, natural laws, and so on…"
"In short, once a Pokémon reaches the stage between the peak of Gym-Class and the Elite Four level, every aspect of its existence will undergo a tremendous change and transformation."
Ash gave everyone a simple explanation.
Tierno, Trevor, and the others immediately nodded in understanding.
Clemont and Misty, however, weren't surprised by Ash's explanation. Clearly, they had already known about these things.
Ash didn't elaborate any further.
This wasn't his lecture; it was Wikstrom's seminar. Once Tierno and the others finished listening to Wikstrom's speech, they would naturally understand everything.
Meanwhile, on the stage at the center of the venue, Wikstrom continued his lecture.
"The peak of Gym-Class is a very special stage of strength. It serves as a transitional phase."
"A Pokémon does not have to reach the absolute peak of Gym-Class to begin breaking through. Even a Pokémon that has only recently entered Gym-Class can already sense the bottleneck leading toward the Elite Four level."
"Comprehending one's true self and awakening one's own [Mental Will], as well as condensing an [Energy Core], are the means by which that bottleneck can be broken and the Elite Four level reached."
"However, these two things must also be accomplished in a specific order."
"Once a Pokémon achieves true self-understanding and comprehends its own Mental Will, the power of that Mental Will will guide the transformation of the energy within its body. At that point, the transformation will occur naturally, and the bottleneck separating Gym-Class from the Elite Four level will be broken almost effortlessly."
"In other words, the key to breaking through from Gym-Class to the Elite Four level lies in one thing—achieving true self-understanding and comprehending one's own Mental Will!"
"And the purpose of my Knight's Way & Knightly Spirit lecture tour is to explain in detail how my Pokémon and I broke through to the Elite Four level by embracing the Knightly Spirit and practicing the Knight's Way, ultimately comprehending the [Will to Protect]."
"I don't need everyone to practice the Knight's Way exactly as I do."
"The purpose of this lecture tour is simply to allow those Trainers who originally had no idea how to break through to the Elite Four level to learn the secrets and key principles behind that breakthrough."
"At the same time, I will share my own experience of breaking through to the Elite Four level and comprehending the [Will to Protect], so that all of you can use my experience as a reference."
"If what I have learned can provide even a little value or assistance to you, then this lecture tour will have been worthwhile."
Wikstrom spoke with a bright, upright smile on his face.
The moment his voice fell, the entire venue erupted into a wave of enthusiastic cheers.
"Elite Four Wikstrom…! Elite Four Wikstrom…!!"
"Elite Four Wikstrom…! Elite Four Wikstrom…!!"
"…"
The secrets of how to break through from Gym-Class to the Elite Four level were something Wikstrom could easily have kept to himself.
Yet he was willing to reveal them openly.
And he was even willing to share the [Will to Protect] that he himself had comprehended, allowing others to study and draw inspiration from it.
Such generosity and selflessness moved everyone present, and the audience couldn't help but applaud and cheer for him.
If revealing the method of breaking through to the Elite Four level could already be described as generous and selfless, then sharing one's own [Will to Protect] for others to study was on an entirely different level.
After all, by doing so, Wikstrom was essentially exposing one of his greatest secrets—his own trump card and the foundation of his strength.
Faced with a powerhouse who was so generous, selfless, open, and compassionate, who could possibly not respect and admire him?
"…"
"…"
Once the excitement among the spectators and Trainers had gradually settled down, Wikstrom finally began formally explaining his understanding of the Knight's Way and Knightly Spirit.
After all, if someone wanted to comprehend something, they first needed to possess sufficient knowledge and understanding of it.
Only after understanding something deeply enough could one peel away its superficial layers and gradually uncover its true essence.
Wikstrom was one of the Kalos Elite Four, the region's Steel-type specialist.
But that wasn't his only identity.
Wikstrom was also the eldest son of the prestigious Gervant Family's patriarch in the Kalos region, as well as the heir to the Castle of Chivalry.
Throughout Kalos's history, the Gervant Family was also one of the most renowned knightly families in the region.
From the moment he was born, Wikstrom had received the most orthodox knightly education and training. He had devoted himself to the Knightly Spirit and faithfully practiced the Knight's Way throughout his life.
As a result, the Pokémon that shared his beliefs and stood beside him through thick and thin could, after reaching Gym-Class strength, comprehend the [Will to Protect] through the Knightly Spirit and the Knight's Way.
Other people didn't possess a family background like Wikstrom's.
Therefore, wanting to comprehend the Will to Protect in the same manner as him was far from easy.
But now that Wikstrom was openly explaining his understanding of the Knightly Spirit, the Knight's Way, and the Will to Protect, it was no longer impossible for others to follow a similar path and eventually comprehend the Will to Protect themselves.
Looking at Wikstrom giving his lecture on the stage, Ash listened more intently than anyone else.
After all, Pikachu has already broken through to the Elite Four level. Greninja, Pidgeot, and Fearow should be able to break through soon as well.
Before long, I'll have to find a way to help my Pokémon comprehend their own Mental Wills.
Ash silently pondered this.