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.

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

'How useless...'

the certificate to her chest

the audience who stood

it was finally time for Melissa to finally leave the

and thanked the President of the NGS.

'Finally...'

the end of the stage was Rosie who

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

certificate to Rosie, Melissa moodily stormed

"Wahh!"

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

"Wait up!"

of the stack of papers, Rosie followed her from

leaving so early? I heard that there is an after

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

with perverted old men that leered at her with every

a great chance to make

need them.

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

sight of the large car waiting

"Welcome young miss."

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

Clank—!

me,

from the other side was Rosie. She looked rather tired

Melissa

have more time to

"O..okay."

putting the papers beside her, Rosie put

Knock. Knock.

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

next few minutes were spent in uncomfortable silence as Melissa stared

a sharp turn, one of the papers

was the certificate of

[NGS National Award Certificate]

the paper in

'Useless.'

all she thought as she stared at the reward. Rather than feeling any sense of accomplishment

don't think you

picked up

people out there that would be very

have it for all

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

not like anyone

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

many, and one that nobody else

accurate to say that no one in her family knew she had won the award, and

her family, science

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

as though her own parents liked

don't think it's a

Finally unwrinkling the whole paper, she carefully placed it on top of the stack

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

"Shut up."

behind her ear, Melissa glared at Rosie from the corner of her

talk about them. You will only end up souring my already

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

"As you wish."

in silence following her words, a tense

Riiing—! Riiing—!

ringing. Furrowing her brows, Melissa

[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 to at the

she realized that ignoring Ren would only lead to him calling her through

persistent as a

"Ugh."