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.

Hall for her outstanding capabilities in the field of research and development. Her outstanding achievements over

'How useless...'

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

followed by the loud clapping sounds of the audience who

before it was finally time for Melissa to finally

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

'Finally...'

the stage, 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. In her hands was a large stack

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

to Rosie, Melissa moodily stormed off

"Wahh!"

hand over the papers and supported the bottom with her

"Wait up!"

certificate on top of the stack of

early? I

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

filled with perverted old men that leered at her with every chance

great chance to make great

don't need them. I have plenty

gazed around, her eyes soon landed on

the large car waiting outside and she

"Welcome young miss."

exiting the building, a man dressed in black stepped out of the vehicle and opened the door

Clank—!

me, young

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

her, Melissa nudged her with her

don't have more

"O..okay."

her, Rosie put on her

Knock. Knock.

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

minutes were spent in uncomfortable silence as Melissa stared at the ever-changing

the silence, on a sharp turn, one

certificate of

[NGS National Award Certificate]

crumbled the paper in her hand before throwing

'Useless.'

reward. Rather than

I don't think you should throw away

her body, Rosie carefully picked up the certificate and unwrinkled

out there that would be very envious of your

can have it for all

scenery outside. A low whisper escaped her lips as her eyes

not like anyone else

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

that nobody else

family knew she had won the award, and even if they did, they

strength. In her family, science and technology were considered nothing

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

as though

think it's a waste of

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

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

"Shut up."

Melissa glared at Rosie

only end up souring

mouth, Rosie stared at Melissa for a good

"As you wish."

following her words,

Riiing—! Riiing—!

of Melissa's phone ringing. Furrowing her brows, Melissa took out her phone and looked at the user

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

Melissa's face twisted as she stared at the user ID.

realized that ignoring Ren would only lead to

was as persistent

"Ugh."