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.

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

'How useless...'

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

the

it was finally time

one more time and thanked the President of the NGS.

'Finally...'

end of the stage was Rosie who immediately jumped

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

Rosie, Melissa moodily

"Wahh!"

losing her balance, Rosie quickly hooked her hand over

"Wait up!"

putting the certificate on top of the stack of papers, Rosie

you leaving so early? I heard

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

with perverted old men that

a great chance

need them. I have plenty

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

her eyes caught sight of the large car waiting outside and she started walking

"Welcome young miss."

the 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

Clank—!

me, young

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

Melissa nudged her with her

I don't have more time to

"O..okay."

putting the papers beside her, Rosie

Knock. Knock.

signaled the driver to start the car. Within a few seconds, the

uncomfortable silence as Melissa stared at the ever-changing scenery outside

sharp turn, one of the papers fell

certificate of

[NGS National Award Certificate]

crumbled the

'Useless.'

stared at the reward. Rather than

miss, I don't think you

her body, Rosie carefully picked up the certificate

many people out there that would be

it for all I

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

like anyone else

would've been their greatest accomplishments in their life, but to Melissa, it

of many, and one that nobody else she knew cared

say that no one in her family knew she had won the award,

family, science and technology

for her father's influence, Melissa would've probably already been thrown out of her

as though her own

don't think it's

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

your family doesn't accept the fact that you are a scientist, doesn't mean that there

"Shut up."

hair behind her ear, Melissa glared at Rosie from the corner

them. You will only end up

for a good couple of

"As you wish."

following her

Riiing—! Riiing—!

sound of Melissa's phone ringing. Furrowing her

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

to keep herself from swearing, Melissa's face twisted as she stared at the user ID. This was probably the last person that she wanted to talk

as she considered her options, she realized that ignoring Ren

was as persistent as a

"Ugh."