The Author's POV

The deeper the memories that I altered, the greater the mana consumption. In the same way, the more I changed, the more mana I consumed.

If it wasn't hard enough already, I could only alter the memories of those who were incapacitated or had their minds unguarded like Kevin not too long ago.

Still.

This was the perfect skill for me at the moment.

'If possible, I might be able to alter some of my memories from the time that I was back in the Monolith.'

In choosing this skill, my main goal was to solve all the mental issues I had been experiencing ever since I returned from the Monolith.

They had never stopped and had only gotten worse.

It was about time I finally did something to solve this issue, and this skill was probably the key.

That said, I did see a problem in this method.

'What if in the process of changing my memories, my personality also ends up changing?'

This was a very real problem since my experiences at the Monolith were the things that made me who I was today. Thankfull, I had a way to restore my memories, and therefore, could experiment a couple of times.

"That aside, I should probably call Melissa."

In memory of my earlier conversation with Douglas, I skimmed through my contacts until they paused on a particular profile.

[Melissa Hall]

"She might be able to help me make an arrangement with Octavious."

My chances of getting in touch with him by myself were rather slim considering our situation.

Thus, I had no other choice but to call her.

"Haaa..."

Letting out a long sigh, I pressed on the contact and called Melissa.

'I might regret this.'

***

'So bright...'

With her eyes squinting, Melissa had trouble keeping her eyes open while camera lights flashed before her and shutters clicked all around her.

Click. Click. Click.

'So annoying.'

Waving in front of her, Melissa forced herself to smile.

—We would like to once again congratulate Melissa Hall for her exemplary research on [Mana dissemination amongst beasts]. Thanks to her research, humanity has once again advanced several steps! As expected of her!

In the meantime, a loud voice echoed throughout the large auditorium as a man dressed in a black suit handed her a certificate. He was the president of the National Group of Science.

The largest scientific community in the human domain.

"Thank you."

With a bright smile, Melissa thanked the president, and reached out for the certificate.

'How much longer do I have to do this for?'

After taking the paper, Melissa glanced at it casually.

the field of research and development. Her outstanding achievements over the past year have earned her this award from the National Group of

'How useless...'

bright smile, Melissa hugged the certificate to her chest and bowed her head

were followed by the loud clapping sounds of the audience who stood up from their

persisted for ten minutes, before it was finally time for

head one more time and thanked the President of the NGS. A bright smile adorned her face the entire

'Finally...'

the stage, her smile vanished from her face. Waiting for her at the end of the stage was Rosie who immediately jumped at the opportunity to congratulate her. In her hands

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

Rosie, Melissa

"Wahh!"

hooked her hand over

"Wait up!"

the stack of papers, Rosie followed

are you leaving so early? I heard that there

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

would want to participate in a party filled with

it is a great chance to make great

don't need them. I have

Melissa entered the venue's lobby. As Melissa gazed around, her eyes soon landed on the enormous glass

of the large car waiting outside and she started walking

"Welcome young miss."

building, a man dressed in black stepped out of the vehicle and opened the door for her. Melissa glanced at him briefly before entering the car and crossing her

Clank—!

me, young

car, entering from the other side was Rosie. She looked rather tired as she still held onto

Melissa nudged

in, I don't have

"O..okay."

papers beside her, Rosie put on

Knock. Knock.

door signaled the driver to start the car. Within a

were spent in uncomfortable silence as Melissa stared

silence, on a sharp turn, one of the papers fell down

certificate of

[NGS National Award Certificate]

Melissa crumbled the paper in her hand before throwing it

'Useless.'

at the reward. Rather than feeling any sense of accomplishment

think you should throw away

carefully picked up the certificate and unwrinkled

that would be

it for all

as she continued to stare at the ever-changing scenery outside. A low

anyone else cares

been their greatest accomplishments in their life,

one that

be more accurate to say that no one in her family knew she had won the award, and even if they did,

family, science and technology were considered

father's influence, Melissa would've

it wasn't as though her own parents liked

it's a

car. Finally unwrinkling the whole paper, she carefully placed it on top of the stack of

the fact that you are a scientist, doesn't mean that there are people out there

"Shut up."

ear, Melissa glared at Rosie from the corner of

will only end up souring

mouth, Rosie stared at Melissa for a good couple of seconds before she nodded

"As you wish."

silence following her words, a

Riiing—! Riiing—!

Furrowing her brows, Melissa took out her phone and looked at

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

at the user ID. This

Ren would only

as persistent as a

"Ugh."