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.

capabilities in the field of research and

'How useless...'

on a bright smile, Melissa hugged the certificate to her

the audience who stood up from their seats to

was finally time for Melissa to

left, she made sure to bow her head one more time and thanked the President of the NGS. A bright smile

'Finally...'

from her face. Waiting for her at the end of the stage was Rosie who immediately jumped

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

the certificate to Rosie, Melissa moodily stormed

"Wahh!"

balance, Rosie quickly hooked her hand over the papers and

"Wait up!"

the stack of papers, Rosie followed her

so early? I

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

a party filled with perverted old men that leered at her

is a great

need them.

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

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

"Welcome young miss."

a man dressed in black stepped out of the vehicle and opened the door for her. Melissa glanced

Clank—!

me, young

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

Melissa nudged her

I don't have

"O..okay."

papers beside her, Rosie put on

Knock. Knock.

to start the car. Within a few seconds,

as Melissa stared at the ever-changing scenery outside

turn, one of the papers fell down

certificate of today's

[NGS National Award Certificate]

crumbled the paper in her hand before throwing it

'Useless.'

she thought as she stared at the reward. Rather than feeling any sense of

think you should

her body, Rosie carefully picked up the certificate and unwrinkled

that would be very envious of your

can have it for all

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

not like anyone

others, such achievements would've been their greatest accomplishments in their life, but to Melissa, it was

of many, and one that nobody

accurate to say that no one in her family knew she had won the award, and even

by strength. In her family, science and technology were considered

father's influence, Melissa would've probably

wasn't as though her own parents

don't think it's a waste of

whole paper, she carefully placed it on top

doesn't mean that there are people out there that don't accept you for

"Shut up."

glared at Rosie

will only end up souring my

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

"As you wish."

following her words,

Riiing—! Riiing—!

phone ringing. Furrowing her brows, Melissa

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

twisted as she stared at the user ID. This was probably the last

her options, she realized that ignoring Ren would only lead to him

persistent as a

"Ugh."