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.

congratulate Melissa Hall for her outstanding capabilities in the field of research and development. Her outstanding achievements over the past year have earned her this award from the National Group

'How useless...'

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

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

before it was finally time for Melissa to finally

left, she made sure to bow her head one more time and thanked the President of the NGS. A bright smile adorned her face the entire

'Finally...'

end of the stage

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

Rosie, Melissa moodily stormed off

"Wahh!"

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

"Wait up!"

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

you leaving so early? I heard that there is an

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

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

a great chance

them. I

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

the large car waiting outside and she started

"Welcome young miss."

out of the vehicle and opened the door for

Clank—!

me, young

other side was Rosie. She looked rather tired as she still held onto the

Melissa nudged her

in, I don't have more time to

"O..okay."

the papers beside her, Rosie

Knock. Knock.

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

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

silence, on a sharp turn, one of

the certificate

[NGS National Award Certificate]

her teeth, Melissa crumbled the paper

'Useless.'

she stared at the reward. Rather than feeling any sense of accomplishment from it, all she felt was

you should throw

body, Rosie carefully picked up the certificate and unwrinkled

many people out there that would be very envious

it for

she continued to stare at the ever-changing scenery outside. A

like anyone else cares

others, such achievements would've been their greatest accomplishments in their life,

and one that nobody

no one in her family knew she had won the award, and even if they did,

was ruled by strength. In her family, science and technology were considered nothing but a waste of

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

it wasn't as though her

it's

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

that you are a scientist, doesn't mean

"Shut up."

her ear, Melissa glared at Rosie from the corner of her

talk about them. You will only end up souring my

Melissa for a good couple of seconds

"As you wish."

two sat in silence following her words, a tense atmosphere permeated the

Riiing—! Riiing—!

of Melissa's phone ringing. Furrowing her brows, Melissa took out

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

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

considered her options, she realized that ignoring Ren would only lead to him calling her through other

was as persistent as

"Ugh."