"Title Quest (Trainer): Raise Trainer level to Level 30. Quest Reward: Elite Trainer Title."
"Elite Trainer: Equipping this title increases neural reaction speed by 10% and body strength by 2."
"Title Quest (Chef): Raise Cooking level to Level 30. Quest Reward: Culinary Whiz Title."
"Culinary Whiz: Equipping this title increases dish deliciousness by 10% and cooking speed by 20%."
"Title Quest (Researcher): Increase Pokémon knowledge, raise level to Level 30. Quest Reward: Grand Researcher Title."
"Grand Researcher: Equipping this title increases learning speed by 30% and comprehension by 2."
"Title Quest (Fighter): Improve physical combat ability, raise level to Level 30. Quest Reward: Fighter Title."
"Fighter: Equipping this title increases body strength by 10 and fighting technique by 20%."
There were a total of four title quests, giving Ace four directions to focus on.
Moreover, title quests, like growth quests, were designed for continuous progression. Each title had subsequent quests.
For example, Ace's current highest level, Trainer, could lead to the Champion Trainer title at Level 60, and the Elite Four Trainer title at Level 80.
By analogy, the other three also had subsequent title quests, and the higher the completion of a title quest, the greater the bonus received.
However...
Trainer: Level 27
Chef: Level 11
Researcher: Level 16
Fighter: Level 2
Aside from the Trainer title, which he could try to push for in the short term, the other three would almost certainly require a lot of time and effort to complete.
"Forget it, I'll ignore these for now. Tackling the main quest is the priority."
Ace shook his head, casting away some unrealistic thoughts. He pitched his tent near the ruins of the research lab, leaned against a rock, and began to read Professor Oak's research logs and notes.
"I have to say, Professor Oak truly lives up to his reputation as the strongest among all professors."
Ace stirred the meat in the stewpot with one hand while holding a book in the other. From his unblinking gaze, it was clear that Ace was completely engrossed!
The Indigo League was held every three years, and the champion of the first Indigo League was a young Professor Oak.
After becoming champion, Professor Oak transitioned into research. Despite his late career change, his research achievements in Pokémon far surpassed many researchers who had studied since childhood.
With both combat and research thriving, Ace felt that if Professor Oak hadn't aged and could have maintained his Trainer status, the title of strongest Trainer would undoubtedly belong to him.
It was precisely because of this that Professor Oak's early Pokémon research also leaned towards Pokémon battles, a style that continued to this day.
So, as Ace read Professor Oak's documented data and notes, he truly felt a sense of enlightenment.
It was like a Champion-level Trainer giving him a lecture across time and space—a privilege not everyone could have.
Noticing that the meat broth was ready, Ace reluctantly put down the book. He then looked at the broth, picked up a rather large egg from the side, cracked it, and dropped it directly into the broth.
This was a Chansey egg. Chansey could lay one egg every day. As for the egg's taste, Ace could only silently give it a thumbs-up, then eat it all clean.
One bowl of meat broth, plus a poached egg—Ace ate very contentedly.
As for the remaining broth, Ace's Pokémon naturally took care of it.
Although Ace prepared suitable food for them every meal, these occasional "treats" served as extra nutritional supplements.
"Oh, they're here?"
When Ace extinguished the campfire and packed his things, he saw a Charizard flying towards the lab in the distant sky.
"Gary has arrived, so where's Ash?"
Ace looked towards Pallet Town. Sure enough, as he expected, Ash was running towards the lab, looking confused.
"What... what happened to the lab?"
Charizard landed, and Gary jumped off its back. Seeing the ruined lab, he frowned and looked at Ace.
"Ace, where's Professor Oak?"
Ash also rushed over, his expression anxious at the sight of the devastated lab.
"He was probably captured by Team Rocket," Ace said, having packed his belongings and slung his backpack on. He told the two, "I fought Team Rocket's Sabrina three days ago, but unfortunately, I couldn't keep her. The lab was also destroyed during that battle."
"Team Rocket... just as I thought."
Gary pulled out a photo from his pocket and handed it to Ash and Ace. "This is a picture I took over Saffron City."
Ace briefly glanced at it. It showed Team Rocket members on patrol in the streets of Saffron City.
"If I'm not mistaken, all of Saffron City has become Team Rocket's stronghold," Gary said with a frown. "Grandpa was probably taken there by them."
"Then let's break in and rescue him!" Ash, hot-blooded, immediately started to run off.
"Don't rush," Ace pulled Ash back and told him, "Let's make a plan first. We'll go together, the three of us."
Gary heard Ace's words and nodded. "Yes, we need a plan. Team Rocket has a large force. Rushing in would be very dangerous."
"Then what should we do?" Ash, realizing this wasn't the time to be impulsive, quickly calmed down.
"I have a plan. Are you willing to hear it?" Ace began. At this moment, he had to ensure the plot continued. He didn't want to experience the main quest's penalty.
"Tell us," Gary nodded. Ace had obtained Squirtle and the Pokédex; he already knew this from his grandpa.
Since Ace had earned his grandpa's trust, he naturally trusted Ace unconditionally.
And Ash, having undergone special training with Ace for a week, trusted Ace even more.
"Since you trust me, my plan is this..."
Ace began to describe his plan. Ash and Gary occasionally pondered, occasionally nodded.
When Ace finished detailing the entire plan, Ash and Gary exchanged glances, then nodded. "We'll follow your idea."
"Alright then, let's start preparing now," Ace said to Ash. "Ash, you handle the personnel. Gary, you go find that girl. I'll prepare the items. If there are no issues, we'll meet outside Saffron City in three hours."
Ash and Gary both nodded, then Gary got on Charizard, and Ash released Aerodactyl.
The two quickly flew off in two different directions, while Ace watched them leave, sighed, and reluctantly opened the system store...