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.

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

'How useless...'

bright smile, Melissa hugged the certificate to her

loud clapping sounds of the audience

persisted for ten minutes, before it was finally time for Melissa to finally leave the

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

'Finally...'

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

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

Rosie, Melissa

"Wahh!"

hooked her hand over the papers and supported the bottom with

"Wait up!"

the certificate on top of the stack of papers,

leaving so early? I heard

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

to participate in a party filled with perverted

a great chance to

need them. I have

lobby. As Melissa gazed around, her eyes soon landed on the

sight of the large car waiting outside and she started walking

"Welcome young miss."

black stepped out of the vehicle and opened the door for her.

Clank—!

for me,

entering from the other side was Rosie. She looked rather

her, Melissa

don't have more

"O..okay."

papers beside her, Rosie

Knock. Knock.

start the car. Within a few seconds, the

spent in uncomfortable silence as Melissa stared

silence, on a sharp turn, one of

the certificate of today's

[NGS National Award Certificate]

her teeth, Melissa crumbled the paper in her

'Useless.'

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

you should

picked up

are many people out there that would be very envious of

can have it for

ever-changing scenery outside. A low whisper escaped her

not like anyone else cares

greatest accomplishments in their life, but to Melissa, it was just like any

that nobody else she knew cared

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

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

Melissa would've probably already been thrown out

wasn't as though

it's a

the car. Finally unwrinkling the whole paper, she carefully placed

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

"Shut up."

her ear, Melissa glared at

about them. You will only end up souring my already bad

Rosie stared at Melissa for a good couple

"As you wish."

sat in silence following her words, a tense atmosphere permeated

Riiing—! Riiing—!

her brows, Melissa took out her phone and

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

ID. This was probably the last person that she wanted to talk to at

realized that ignoring Ren would only lead to him calling her

was as persistent

"Ugh."