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.

that I congratulate Melissa Hall for her outstanding capabilities in the field of research and development. Her outstanding achievements over the past year have earned her this award from the National

'How useless...'

certificate to her chest

the audience who stood up from their seats

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

bow her head one more time and thanked the President of

'Finally...'

the stage, her 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

"Wahh!"

hooked her hand over the papers

"Wait up!"

top of the stack of papers, Rosie followed

I heard that

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

with perverted

great chance

them.

venue's lobby. As Melissa gazed around, her eyes soon landed on the enormous glass doors in the

caught sight of the large car waiting outside and

"Welcome young miss."

in black stepped out of the vehicle and opened the door for her. Melissa glanced at him briefly before

Clank—!

me, young

She looked rather tired as she still held onto the

glancing at her, Melissa nudged her

I don't have more time to

"O..okay."

beside her, Rosie put on

Knock. Knock.

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

as

a sharp turn, one of the papers fell down toward Melissa's

the certificate of

[NGS National Award Certificate]

crumbled the

'Useless.'

stared at the reward. Rather than feeling any sense of accomplishment from

I don't think you should throw away

her body, Rosie carefully picked up the certificate and

many people out there that would be very

have it

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

like anyone

their greatest accomplishments in their life, but to Melissa, it was just like

and one that

one in her family knew she had won the award, and even if they did, they would

In her family, science and technology were

for her father's influence, Melissa would've probably already

though

it's a waste

unwrinkling the whole paper, she carefully placed

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

"Shut up."

glared

them. You will only

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

"As you wish."

sat in silence following her words, a tense atmosphere permeated

Riiing—! Riiing—!

Melissa's phone ringing. Furrowing her

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

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 would only lead to him calling her through

persistent

"Ugh."