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.

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

'How useless...'

the certificate to her chest and

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

for ten minutes, before it was finally time for Melissa

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

'Finally...'

her smile vanished from her face. Waiting for her at the end of the stage was Rosie who immediately jumped at the opportunity

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

to Rosie, Melissa

"Wahh!"

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

"Wait up!"

the stack of papers,

you leaving so early? I heard that there is

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

in a party filled with perverted

a great chance to make

need them.

around, her eyes soon landed on the enormous

the large car waiting outside and she started walking toward it

"Welcome young miss."

vehicle and opened the door for her. Melissa glanced at him briefly before entering

Clank—!

me, young

after she entered the car, entering from the other side was Rosie. She looked

her, Melissa nudged

I don't have more time

"O..okay."

beside her, Rosie put on

Knock. Knock.

door signaled the driver to start the car. Within a

in uncomfortable silence as Melissa stared at the ever-changing scenery outside of

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

was the certificate of

[NGS National Award Certificate]

the paper in her

'Useless.'

thought as she stared at the reward. Rather than feeling

I don't think you should throw away your

body, Rosie carefully picked up the certificate and

out there that would be very envious of

have it for all

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

anyone

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

one that nobody else she knew

would be more accurate to say that no one in her family knew she had

ruled by strength. In her family, science and technology were

influence, Melissa would've probably already been

as though her

think it's a waste

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

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

"Shut up."

her hair behind her ear, Melissa glared at

talk about them. You will only end up souring

a good couple of seconds before she nodded

"As you wish."

following her words, a tense atmosphere permeated the

Riiing—! Riiing—!

silence was the sound of Melissa's phone ringing. Furrowing her

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

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

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

was as persistent

"Ugh."