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.

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

'How useless...'

the certificate to her

the loud clapping sounds of the audience who stood up from their seats to

was finally time for Melissa to

head one more time and thanked

'Finally...'

her at the end of the stage was Rosie who immediately jumped at the opportunity to congratulate her. In her hands was

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

to Rosie, Melissa moodily stormed off

"Wahh!"

hand over the papers and supported

"Wait up!"

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

are you leaving so early? I heard

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

with perverted old men that leered

is a great chance to

need them. I have

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

eyes caught sight of the large car waiting outside and

"Welcome young miss."

building, a man dressed in black stepped out of the vehicle and opened the door for her. Melissa

Clank—!

me,

Rosie. She looked rather tired as she still held onto the large stacks of

Melissa nudged her

don't have

"O..okay."

beside her, Rosie put on

Knock. Knock.

start the car. Within a few seconds, the car had disappeared into

minutes were spent in uncomfortable silence as Melissa

a sharp turn, one of the papers fell down

certificate of today's

[NGS National Award Certificate]

her teeth, Melissa crumbled the paper in her hand before

'Useless.'

than feeling any sense of accomplishment from it, all she

you

Rosie carefully picked

are many people out there that would be

can have it

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

not like anyone

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

one that nobody else she knew

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

her family, science and technology were considered nothing but a waste of

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

it wasn't as though her own parents

think it's

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

your family doesn't accept the fact that you are a scientist, doesn't mean that there are people out

"Shut up."

glared at Rosie from the corner

talk about them. You will only end up

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

"As you wish."

two sat in silence following her

Riiing—! Riiing—!

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

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

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

ignoring Ren would only lead to him

was as persistent

"Ugh."