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.

is with great pleasure that I congratulate Melissa Hall for her outstanding capabilities in the field of research and development. Her outstanding achievements over the past year have

'How useless...'

Melissa hugged the certificate to her chest and bowed her head toward

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

it was finally time

time and thanked the President of the NGS. A bright smile adorned

'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

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

Rosie, Melissa moodily stormed off the

"Wahh!"

over the papers and supported the bottom with

"Wait up!"

certificate on top of the stack of papers, Rosie followed her

why are you leaving so early? I heard

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

a party filled with perverted

is a great chance to make great

don't need them.

venue's lobby. As Melissa gazed around, her eyes soon landed on

the large car waiting outside and she started walking toward it

"Welcome young miss."

vehicle and opened the door for her. Melissa glanced

Clank—!

for me,

was Rosie. She looked rather

her, Melissa nudged her with her

in, I don't have more

"O..okay."

putting the papers beside her, Rosie

Knock. Knock.

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

spent in uncomfortable silence as Melissa stared

a sharp turn, one

was the certificate of

[NGS National Award Certificate]

of her teeth, Melissa crumbled the paper in

'Useless.'

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

you should throw

carefully picked up the certificate

there that

it for all

ever-changing scenery outside. A low whisper escaped her

like anyone else cares

in their life, but to

one that nobody else

more accurate to say that no one in her family knew she had won the award, and even if they did, they would most

was ruled by strength. In her family, science and

not been for her father's influence, Melissa would've probably already been thrown

it wasn't as though her own parents liked

think it's a waste of

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

are a scientist, doesn't mean that there are people out there

"Shut up."

her ear, Melissa glared at Rosie from the corner

only end up souring my

Rosie stared at Melissa for a good couple

"As you wish."

following her words,

Riiing—! Riiing—!

was the sound of Melissa's phone ringing. Furrowing her brows, Melissa took out her

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

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

options, she realized that ignoring Ren would only lead to him calling

was as persistent

"Ugh."