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

'How useless...'

certificate to her chest and bowed her head toward the cameras pointed

actions were followed by the loud clapping sounds of the audience who stood

it was finally time for Melissa

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

'Finally...'

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 was a large stack of

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

Melissa moodily stormed off the

"Wahh!"

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

"Wait up!"

of the

early? I heard that

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

want to participate in a party filled with perverted old men that leered at her with every

great chance to

don't need them. I have

around, her eyes soon landed on

sight of the large car waiting outside and

"Welcome young miss."

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

Clank—!

me, young

other side was Rosie. She looked rather tired as she still

her, Melissa nudged her with her

in, I don't have more time

"O..okay."

her,

Knock. Knock.

the driver to start the

uncomfortable silence as Melissa stared

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

was the certificate

[NGS National Award Certificate]

her teeth, Melissa crumbled the paper in

'Useless.'

reward. Rather than feeling any

don't think you should throw away your

her body, Rosie carefully picked

many people out there that would be very envious of your

have it for

at the ever-changing scenery outside. A low whisper escaped her lips as her eyes closed for a

anyone else cares

in their life, but to Melissa, it was just like any other reward out

many, and one that nobody else she knew

knew she had won the award, and even if they did,

by strength. In her family, science

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

it wasn't as though her own parents

think it's a waste of

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

are a scientist, doesn't mean that there are people out there that don't accept

"Shut up."

her ear, Melissa glared at Rosie from the corner of

will only end up souring

for a good couple of seconds

"As you wish."

the two sat in silence following her words, a

Riiing—! Riiing—!

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

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

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

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

as persistent as a

"Ugh."