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.

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...'

a bright smile, Melissa hugged the certificate to her chest and bowed her head toward the cameras pointed

clapping sounds of the audience who stood up from their

finally time for Melissa to finally leave

and thanked the President of the NGS. A bright smile adorned her face the entire

'Finally...'

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.

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

certificate to Rosie, Melissa moodily

"Wahh!"

Rosie quickly hooked her hand over the papers and supported the bottom with

"Wait up!"

on top of the stack of papers, Rosie followed

are you leaving so early? I heard that there

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

participate in a party filled with perverted old men that

a great

them. I have

around, her eyes soon landed on the enormous glass doors

the large car

"Welcome young miss."

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

Clank—!

me,

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

at her, Melissa nudged her

in, I don't have more time to

"O..okay."

papers beside her, Rosie put on her

Knock. Knock.

on the glass door signaled the driver to start the car. Within a

uncomfortable silence as Melissa stared

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

certificate

[NGS National Award Certificate]

crumbled the paper in her

'Useless.'

she thought as she stared at the reward. Rather than feeling any sense of accomplishment from it, all she felt was

think you should throw

picked up the certificate and

there that

have it for all I

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

anyone

achievements would've been their greatest accomplishments in their life, but to

one that nobody else she

family knew she had won the award, and even if they did, they would most likely not

science and technology were considered nothing

Melissa would've probably already been thrown out

then, it wasn't as though

don't think it's

paper, she carefully placed it on

doesn't mean that

"Shut up."

hair behind her ear, Melissa glared at Rosie

talk about them. You will only end up souring my

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

"As you wish."

silence following her words, a tense atmosphere

Riiing—! Riiing—!

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

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

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

her options, she realized that ignoring Ren would

as persistent

"Ugh."