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.

that I congratulate Melissa Hall for her outstanding capabilities in the field of research and development. Her outstanding achievements over the past year

'How useless...'

Melissa hugged the certificate to her chest and bowed her head

the

for ten minutes, before it was finally time for Melissa to

thanked the President of the NGS. A bright

'Finally...'

face. Waiting for her at the end of the stage was Rosie who immediately jumped at

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

the certificate to Rosie, Melissa moodily

"Wahh!"

hand over the papers and supported the bottom with her

"Wait up!"

top of the stack of

are you leaving so early? I heard

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

a party filled with perverted old men that leered at

it is a great chance to

need them. I have plenty

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

of the large car waiting outside and she

"Welcome young miss."

of the vehicle and opened the door for her.

Clank—!

for me, young

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

glancing at her, Melissa nudged her with her

have more

"O..okay."

the papers beside her,

Knock. Knock.

the glass door signaled the driver to start the car. Within a

were spent in uncomfortable silence as Melissa stared

a sharp turn, one of

certificate of today's

[NGS National Award Certificate]

the paper in

'Useless.'

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

miss, I don't think you should throw

body, Rosie carefully picked up the certificate and

people out there that would be very envious of your

it for all

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

anyone

would've been their greatest accomplishments in their life, but to Melissa, it was just like any other reward out

many, and one that nobody else she

she had

by strength. In her family, science and technology were considered nothing but a

not been for her father's influence, Melissa would've probably already been thrown out of

wasn't as though

it's a

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

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

"Shut up."

glared

will only end up souring my already

a good couple of seconds before she nodded her

"As you wish."

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

Riiing—! Riiing—!

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

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

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

realized that ignoring Ren would

was as persistent

"Ugh."