Pokemon: With Title System

Chapter 17: The Mimic Mask

"I've heard about the incident at Vermilion Port. I assume you're planning to investigate it. Here..."

Professor Oak reached for a piece of paper and scribbled down a phone number.

"What's this...?"

Seeing Asahi's puzzled expression, Professor Oak explained, "It's the number of one of my students who's conducting research in Vermilion City. You can contact him if you go there."

One of Professor Oak's students, in Vermilion City...

After thinking for a moment, Asahi asked, "Professor Sakuragi?"

Thanks to a certain individual, Professor Sakuragi—the student of Professor Oak—had left quite an impression on him.

"Oh? You've heard of him? That makes things even easier," Professor Oak replied.

"Sakuragi recently earned his Pokémon Professor title and is currently setting up his own research lab in Vermilion City. He might know something useful. You can ask him for help when the time comes."

Hearing this, Asahi's eyes lit up.

He had been worried about not having trustworthy contacts in Vermilion City, but now the problem was solved.

With Sakuragi, a local "insider," assisting him, investigating in Vermilion City would become much easier.

"Thank you, Professor Oak!"

"Ha! No need to thank me," Professor Oak said with a wave of his hand. To him, it was just a small favor.

Besides, it was a win-win.

For Asahi, it meant having an ally in his investigation. For Sakuragi, it was an opportunity to gain a friend within the League.

Although Pokémon Professors were respected in the League, they often faced challenges such as applying for research funding or getting approval for risky projects.

While no one would dare block Professor Oak's work, Sakuragi didn't have that same clout yet. Having someone like Asahi speak up for him could make things much smoother.

In a way, this was Professor Oak paving the way for his student's future.

"Oh, and if you ever change your mind, the assistant researcher position will always be open for you!" Professor Oak added, still hoping to recruit Asahi.

"Next time, for sure, next time," Asahi replied with a laugh.

Work as an assistant? No chance—not in this lifetime!

---

After bidding farewell to Professor Oak, Asahi had essentially accomplished his goal.

The only thing he regretted was not running into Ash. Out of curiosity, he had casually asked Professor Oak about his grandson, Gary.

Professor Oak had no idea where Gary had run off to, only muttering about him wandering around with his "girlfriends." He seemed quite frustrated with the boy.

Asahi could only console Professor Oak, saying that everyone had their own path, and if he met Gary in the future, he'd try to have a word with him.

Just as Asahi stepped out of the lab's range, the system chimed in his mind.

[The Place Where It All Begins: Visit Professor Oak in Pallet Town and unlock the title 'Aspiring Pokémon Master.']

[Choose your reward:]

1. Mimic Mask

2. Rotom Bike

3. Master Rod

Huh?

An unexpected surprise?

Though the rewards seemed lackluster compared to previous ones, it made sense given how easy this title was to unlock.

Without rushing to make a choice, Asahi released Gardevoir.

"Gardevoir, Teleport us back to the hotel!"

Having reached Champion level, Gardevoir could now safely teleport people without risk of spatial distortion. However, long-distance teleportation still required a psychic marker at the destination.

Asahi's sudden demand earned him a look of reproach from Gardevoir, but she sighed, extended her arms, and lightly hugged him.

A flash of blue light.

Swish.

The next moment, Asahi found himself lying on the hotel bed.

"No matter how many times I teleport, I never get used to it," he muttered, shaking off the dizziness.

Looking at the rewards, Asahi quickly dismissed the Rotom Bike. While it wasn't cheap, it was a mass-produced product in Galar and didn't suit his needs.

The Master Rod tempted him, as a fan of fishing, but the Mimic Mask seemed far more useful for his current mission.

"After all, I'm a dedicated trainer working for the good of the League. I'll choose the Mimic Mask!"

With his decision made, a flash of white light revealed a blank, featureless mask in his hand.

Inspecting it, Asahi couldn't help but quip, "If I put this on, won't I just be blind?"

Still, trusting the system wouldn't set him up for failure, he placed the mask over his face.

The oversized mask instantly adjusted to fit perfectly. A glowing interface appeared before his eyes, displaying a gallery of faces.

Flipping through the options, he recognized several: Professor Oak, Lance, Kaiser, Officer Jenny, and even people he'd only met briefly.

"So, this is what 'mimic' means?"

Standing before a mirror, Asahi selected the taxi driver he had encountered earlier. The mask wriggled and shifted, transforming his face to perfectly replicate the driver's.

Testing the disguise with a series of expressions, Asahi was pleased with its effectiveness.

Then, turning to Gardevoir, he declared, "Muahaha! Gardevoir, today I'm locking you in a room for questioning!"

Lounging on the couch with a book in hand, Gardevoir glanced up at his childish antics, rolled her eyes, and went back to reading.

Gardevoir ignored her owner's sudden antics.

She lowered her head, savoring her tea while using telekinesis to flip through the novel in her hands.

"Boring."

Dropping his disguise, Asahi tossed the mask back into his backpack.

He wasn't surprised he couldn't fool Gardevoir.

Maintaining constant telepathic communication with her and disguising himself right under her nose? Only a miracle would have let him deceive her.

Even Pokémon with sharp senses might not fall for such a trick.

But...

"It's good enough!"

***

To read an advance will be 45+ chapters

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