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.

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

'How useless...'

her chest and bowed her

clapping sounds of the audience who stood up from their seats to

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

bow her head one more time and thanked

'Finally...'

for her at the end of the stage was Rosie who immediately jumped at the opportunity to congratulate

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

to Rosie, Melissa moodily stormed off the

"Wahh!"

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

"Wait up!"

the stack of

why are you leaving so early? I heard that there

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

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

it is a great chance to

don't need them. I have

around, her eyes soon

eyes caught sight of the large car

"Welcome young miss."

building, a man dressed in black stepped out of the vehicle and opened the door

Clank—!

for me, young

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

glancing at her, Melissa nudged

in, I don't have more time to

"O..okay."

her,

Knock. Knock.

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

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

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

the certificate

[NGS National Award Certificate]

her teeth, Melissa crumbled the paper in her hand before throwing

'Useless.'

stared at the reward. Rather than feeling any sense of

I don't think you should

picked

are many people out there that would

can have it for

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

anyone else cares

their life, but to Melissa, it

of many, and one that nobody else she knew

her family knew she had won the award, and even if

world was ruled by strength. In her family, science and technology

influence, Melissa would've probably already been thrown out of

though her own parents liked

it's a

whole paper, she carefully

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

"Shut up."

behind her ear, Melissa glared at Rosie

about them. You will only end up souring

at Melissa for a good couple

"As you wish."

the two sat in silence following her words, a tense atmosphere permeated

Riiing—! Riiing—!

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

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

she stared at the user ID. This was probably the

options, she realized that ignoring Ren would

was as persistent as a

"Ugh."