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.

and development.

'How useless...'

certificate to her chest and bowed

actions were followed by the loud clapping sounds of the audience who

was finally time for Melissa to finally leave

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

'Finally...'

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

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

the certificate to Rosie, Melissa

"Wahh!"

her hand over the

"Wait up!"

top of the stack of papers, Rosie followed her from

are you leaving so early? I heard that

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

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

it is a great chance to make great

don't need them.

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

of the large car waiting outside and she started walking toward

"Welcome young miss."

the vehicle and opened the door for her.

Clank—!

for me,

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

glancing at her, Melissa nudged her

I don't have more time to

"O..okay."

papers beside her, Rosie put on her

Knock. Knock.

the car. Within a few seconds, the

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

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

certificate

[NGS National Award Certificate]

crumbled the paper in her hand before throwing

'Useless.'

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

you should throw

carefully picked up the certificate and unwrinkled

there that would be very envious of your

have it for all

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

not like anyone else cares

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

of many, and one that nobody else she knew cared

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

world was ruled by strength. In her family, science and technology were considered nothing but

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

then, it wasn't as though her own parents

think it's a waste of

inside the car. Finally unwrinkling the whole paper, she carefully

are a scientist, doesn't

"Shut up."

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

only

stared at Melissa for a good couple

"As you wish."

the two sat in silence following her words,

Riiing—! Riiing—!

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

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

herself from swearing, Melissa's face twisted as she stared at the user ID. This was probably the last

as she considered her options, she realized that ignoring Ren would only lead to

was as persistent

"Ugh."