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.

of research and development. Her outstanding achievements over the past year have

'How useless...'

certificate to her chest and bowed her head toward the cameras pointed at

by the loud clapping sounds of the audience who stood

finally time for Melissa to finally leave

time and thanked

'Finally...'

left 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

"Wahh!"

hooked her hand over

"Wait up!"

of the stack of papers, Rosie

so early? I

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

she would want to participate in a party filled with

is a great chance to

don't need them. I

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

car waiting outside and she started walking toward it

"Welcome young miss."

in black stepped out of the vehicle and opened the door for her. Melissa glanced at him briefly before entering the car

Clank—!

for me,

side was Rosie. She looked rather tired as

her, Melissa

don't have more time to

"O..okay."

putting the papers beside her, Rosie put

Knock. Knock.

to start the

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

midst of the silence, on a sharp turn, one of the papers

the certificate of

[NGS National Award Certificate]

clench of her teeth, Melissa crumbled the paper in her

'Useless.'

at the reward. Rather than feeling any

I don't think you should throw away

her body, Rosie carefully picked up the certificate and

that

have it

at the ever-changing scenery outside. A low

like anyone

accomplishments in their life, but to Melissa, it was just

one that nobody else

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

by strength. In her family, science and technology were

Melissa would've probably already been

it wasn't as though her own parents

it's

unwrinkling the whole paper, she carefully placed it on

doesn't mean that there are people out there that don't accept you for

"Shut up."

glared

You will only end up

for a good couple of seconds before she nodded her

"As you wish."

silence following her words, a

Riiing—! Riiing—!

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

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

face twisted as she stared at the user ID. This was probably the last person that she wanted to talk

her options, she realized that ignoring Ren

was as persistent

"Ugh."