Titles and how they work / level up?

[Kreddi]

So in Graces you'd level up titles by EXP and you have their benefit at all times.

This isn't the case in Zestiria, right? You only get the benefit of them when you have them equipped? And they lvl by doing certain things, not just exp?

[Simon]

In Zestiria, equipped titles gains "some experience" each time you level up. You can also eat certain food at the inns which let you gain equipped title's experiences by completing the requirement(s) stated.
Each time the title level up, it improves one of its abilities' effect or add a new ability.

All titles have three phases (bronze, silver, gold) Each time a title changes colour, the title's Max Level increases. To "evolve" a title, some titles only needs you to progress far enough into the story. Some titles needs you to complete certain requirements. For example, discover certain amount of discovery points, normins and so on.... (sometimes you have to go to save points to trigger skits after you completed the requirements, then the title will then "evolve")

For how the titles works, it is not like Graces, where the stat/effects of the titles gained are stacked and are in effect even though you are not equipping it. In Zestiria, you have to equip the title for it to actually take effect.

PS: Note that there is only one title in this game which is missable. The first time you meet Dezel in Tintagel Ruins, go talk to him first and you will get one of his title. If you choose to talk to the others before talking to him first, you will miss it.