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.

her outstanding capabilities in the field of research and development. Her outstanding achievements over the past year have earned her this award

'How useless...'

hugged the certificate to her chest and bowed her head

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

it was finally time for Melissa

her head one more time and thanked the President of

'Finally...'

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

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

Melissa moodily stormed off the

"Wahh!"

over the papers

"Wait up!"

of the stack

why are you leaving so early? I heard that there is an

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

if she would want to participate in a party filled with perverted old men that leered at her with every

it is a great chance to make great

don't need them. I have plenty

around, her eyes soon landed on the enormous glass doors

eyes caught sight of the large car waiting outside and she started walking

"Welcome young miss."

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

Clank—!

me,

from the other side was Rosie. She looked

her, Melissa

have

"O..okay."

papers beside her,

Knock. Knock.

the glass door signaled the driver to start the car. Within a few seconds, the car had disappeared into

in uncomfortable silence as Melissa stared at the

sharp turn, one

the certificate of today's

[NGS National Award Certificate]

Melissa crumbled the

'Useless.'

she thought as she stared at the reward. Rather than feeling any sense of accomplishment

miss, I don't think you

carefully picked

are many people out there that would

it for all

scenery outside. A low whisper escaped her lips as her

like anyone else cares

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

and one that nobody

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

family, science

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

as though her own

it's a waste

car. Finally unwrinkling the whole paper, she

are a scientist, doesn't

"Shut up."

glared at Rosie

them. You will only end

her mouth, Rosie stared at Melissa for a good couple of seconds before she nodded her

"As you wish."

two sat in silence following her words, a

Riiing—! Riiing—!

phone ringing. Furrowing her brows, Melissa took out her phone and looked at

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

at the user ID. This was probably the

that ignoring Ren would only

persistent as a

"Ugh."