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.

outstanding capabilities in the field of research and

'How useless...'

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

loud clapping sounds of the audience who stood up from

persisted for ten minutes, before it was finally time for Melissa to

to bow her head one more time and thanked the President

'Finally...'

the stage was Rosie who immediately jumped at the opportunity to congratulate her. In her hands was a large stack of

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

Rosie, Melissa moodily

"Wahh!"

balance, Rosie quickly hooked her hand over the papers and supported the bottom

"Wait up!"

certificate on top of the stack

so early? I heard that there

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

a party filled with perverted old men that leered at her with every chance

it is a great chance to

them. I have

As Melissa gazed around, her eyes soon landed

of the large car waiting outside and she started walking toward it

"Welcome young miss."

the vehicle and opened the door for her. Melissa glanced at him briefly before

Clank—!

me, young

the car, entering from the other side was Rosie. She looked rather tired as

Melissa nudged her with her

I don't have more time

"O..okay."

putting the papers beside her, Rosie put on

Knock. Knock.

signaled the driver to start the car. Within a few

next few minutes were spent in uncomfortable silence as Melissa stared at the ever-changing scenery

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

certificate of

[NGS National Award Certificate]

a clench of her teeth, Melissa crumbled the paper in her hand before throwing

'Useless.'

stared at the reward. Rather than feeling any sense of accomplishment from it, all she felt was

I don't think you should throw

picked up

many people out there that would be

it for all I

to stare at the ever-changing scenery outside. A low whisper escaped her lips as her

like anyone else cares

their life, but to Melissa, it was

many, and one that nobody

knew she had won

science and technology were considered nothing but

influence, Melissa would've probably already been thrown

wasn't as though her own parents

it's

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

doesn't mean that there are people out there

"Shut up."

hair behind her ear, Melissa glared at Rosie from the

talk about them. You will only end up souring my

for a good couple

"As you wish."

silence following her

Riiing—! Riiing—!

Melissa's phone ringing. Furrowing her brows, Melissa took out her

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

herself from swearing, Melissa's face twisted as she stared at the user ID. This

that ignoring Ren would only lead to him calling her

was as persistent as

"Ugh."