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.

research and development. Her outstanding achievements over the

'How useless...'

certificate to her chest and bowed her head

followed by the loud clapping sounds of the audience who stood up from

it was finally time for Melissa to finally leave

her head one more time and thanked the President of the NGS. A bright smile adorned her

'Finally...'

stage was Rosie who immediately jumped at the opportunity to congratulate her. In her hands was a large stack of

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

Melissa

"Wahh!"

hand over the papers and supported the bottom with

"Wait up!"

putting the certificate on top of the stack of papers,

early? I heard

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

if she would want to participate in a party filled with

is a great chance to make great

need them.

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

caught sight of the large car waiting outside

"Welcome young miss."

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 and crossing her

Clank—!

for me, young

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

at her, Melissa nudged her with

have more

"O..okay."

the papers beside her, Rosie put on her

Knock. Knock.

driver to start the car. Within a few seconds, the car had disappeared

silence as Melissa stared at

the midst of the silence, on a sharp turn, one of the

certificate of

[NGS National Award Certificate]

of her teeth, Melissa crumbled the paper

'Useless.'

the reward. Rather than

I don't think you should throw

her body, Rosie carefully picked up the certificate and unwrinkled

there that would be very envious of

can have it for all

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

like anyone else

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

many, and one that

no one in her family knew she had won the award, and even if they did, they would most likely not even

science and technology were considered nothing but a waste

her father's influence, Melissa would've

wasn't as though her own parents

it's a waste of

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

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

"Shut up."

her ear, Melissa glared at Rosie

about them. You will only end up souring my

for a good

"As you wish."

in silence following her words, a tense atmosphere permeated the

Riiing—! Riiing—!

her

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

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

realized that ignoring Ren would

persistent as a

"Ugh."