Both metal rings gleamed with a brilliant golden luster, exactly the same as the design Ash had drawn in his blueprint.
Across the surface of each ring were engraved mysterious ancient runes, symbols so profound that ordinary people could not understand them. Their appearance was identical to the Divine Catalyst Rings seen in legends.
However, the two rings were not identical.
The larger Divine Catalyst Ring had a Pidgeot Mega Stone embedded at its center.
The smaller Divine Catalyst Ring contained a Key Stone, and on either side of the Key Stone were two smaller, perfectly round emerald-green gemstones.
Compared to a simple Divine Catalyst Ring, the two pieces that Master Caldor had forged possessed not only an aura of holiness and mystery, but also an added sense of luxury and noble elegance.
"System, check the information of these two items," Ash said silently in his mind.
Divine Catalyst Ring
+200 Vitality
+60 Special Attack Power
+60 Special Defense
+20% Cooldown Reduction
+20% Energy Recovery
Green Pearl Bracer
+200 Vitality
+120 Strength
+60 Special Defense
+60 Physical Defense
+20% Energy Recovery
"Wha—!!"
Ash had already guessed that the equipment forged by Master Caldor would be powerful.
But when he saw the detailed attributes, he was nearly blinded by the numbers.
Vitality, Special Attack Power, Strength, Special Defense, Physical Defense, Cooldown Reduction, Energy Recovery—
One piece of equipment actually provided so many attribute bonuses.
In the Pokémon world, the known power-boosting items were usually things like Charcoal, Spell Tag, or Mystic Water, which generally provided around 20% attribute damage boosts.
Because those boosts were percentage-based, the stronger a Pokémon became in the late stages, the more exaggerated the item's effect would become.
However, overall, such power-enhancing items were very single-purpose.
Even among items that increased Speed, Critical Hit Rate, or Attack Speed, most equipment only provided one type of enhancement.
But the two pieces forged by Master Caldor possessed multiple powerful effects simultaneously.
In the Pokémon world, such equipment was almost unimaginable.
Since the Pidgeot Mega Stone and Key Stone were simply embedded into the equipment, the Mega Evolution function and the equipment effects did not interfere with each other.
That meant even though Ash's Pidgeotto had not yet evolved into its final form Pidgeot, and therefore could not yet undergo Mega Evolution, it could still wear the Divine Catalyst Ring and enjoy all of its attribute bonuses.
+200 Vitality
+60 Special Attack Power
+60 Special Defense
+20% Cooldown Reduction
+20% Energy Recovery
The Vitality increase was self-explanatory.
It would allow Pidgeotto to possess greater stamina, stronger endurance, and a much larger reserve of energy.
As a bird Pokémon, Pidgeotto originally lacked durability. But with the Divine Catalyst Ring alone, it could immediately shed its fragile glass-cannon label.
The +60 Special Attack Power directly increased Pidgeotto's Special Attack damage.
Since it was a flat increase rather than a percentage boost, the effect might become less noticeable in the late stages. But at the current stage, it was an enormous boost.
Combined with Pidgeotto's special-attack-oriented fighting style, it dramatically enhanced its offensive capabilities.
The +60 Special Defense also greatly improved its survivability.
Although the terminology sounded more like something from a fantasy RPG, in Pokémon terms it corresponded to Special Defense.
At the early and mid stages, 60 points of Special Defense were more than enough to eliminate the weakness of being fragile.
However, in Ash's opinion, the most powerful attributes of the Divine Catalyst Ring were actually the last two.
20% Cooldown Reduction
20% Energy Recovery
These two bonuses didn't directly increase damage.
But they made Pidgeotto's ability to channel and release moves far smoother.
Cooldown Reduction meant it could use its moves more frequently, while Energy Recovery dramatically enhanced its battle endurance.
In Ash's eyes, these two attributes were even stronger than the earlier bonuses of Vitality, Special Attack, and Special Defense.
And since they were percentage-based, their value would only become more terrifying in the late stages.
The Green Pearl Bracer was equally outrageous.
+200 Vitality
+120 Strength
+60 Special Defense
+60 Physical Defense
+20% Energy Recovery
It could be described as a perfect fusion of attack gear, defense gear, and support gear.
Calling it a divine-tier piece of equipment would not be an exaggeration.
Originally, Ash had only come to the jewelry shop to create two ordinary accessories to hold the Pidgeot Mega Stone and Key Stone.
But through sheer coincidence and good fortune, he had ended up receiving two extremely rare pieces of equipment.
Ash had initially assumed these items would simply be like Never-Melt Ice, Spell Tag, or Twisted Spoon—tools that provided moderate attribute boosts.
But he had never imagined they would be super-tier equipment of this level.
"Senior… these two items are simply too precious. I…"
Holding the black brocade box containing the equipment, Ash found himself stammering.
He wanted to say that the items were too valuable for him to accept.
But the words caught in his throat.
Because just as he said—they were too powerful and too valuable.
So valuable that he felt embarrassed to accept them.
Yet also so valuable that he couldn't bear to return them.
Master Caldor easily saw through Ash's internal struggle.
But instead of teasing him, the old craftsman simply smiled warmly, his expression filled with genuine joy.
"Your psychic ability is truly extraordinary," he said.
"You could actually sense the power contained within these two pieces of equipment. Not bad… not bad at all."
"These two items are probably the finest works of my entire life."
"For many years now, I've mostly forged small trinkets. I rarely create equipment of this level."
"There are several reasons for that."
"First, my forging skills had not yet reached the standard I demanded of myself."
"Second, creating equipment like this requires extremely rare materials, which are incredibly difficult to find."
"And most importantly—"
"There simply hasn't been anyone worthy of wearing the equipment I forge."
The old craftsman's voice grew solemn.
"No matter how powerful a piece of equipment is, it is ultimately just an external tool."
"Only when its owner is strong enough can its true power be unleashed."
"You, Ash, are someone who understands value."
"In just a little over a month, you managed to train a Pikachu of such incredible strength."
"Your talent as a Pokémon Trainer… is the greatest I have ever seen."
"It surpasses even the current Champions of the various Pokémon League regions."
"That is why I used all the rare materials I've accumulated over the years to forge these two items for you."
"Because only you are worthy of them."
"And only you can allow these two pieces of equipment to reach their true potential."
"So don't refuse them. And don't even think about paying me."
"With my craftsmanship, money is the last thing I lack."
The old craftsman looked at Ash with a gentle gaze.
"At my age, there are only two things left I truly wish to accomplish."
"One is to find a disciple who can inherit my forging techniques."
"And the other…"
"Is to ensure that the equipment I forge finds an owner who truly deserves it."
"You may not be suited to inherit my forging skills…"
"But you are undoubtedly the most worthy owner of the equipment I have created."
Master Caldor said, his eyes shining with sincerity as he looked at Ash.
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