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.

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

'How useless...'

to her

actions were followed by the loud clapping sounds of the audience who stood up from their seats to congratulate

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

head one more time and thanked

'Finally...'

the stage was Rosie who immediately jumped at the opportunity to congratulate her. In her hands

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

certificate to Rosie, Melissa moodily stormed off

"Wahh!"

her hand over the papers and supported the bottom

"Wait up!"

on top of the

leaving so early? I heard that there

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

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

is a great chance to make

them. I

around, her eyes soon landed on the enormous glass doors in the

car waiting outside and

"Welcome young miss."

and opened the door for her. Melissa glanced at him briefly before entering the car and crossing her

Clank—!

for me,

the car, entering from the other side was Rosie. She looked rather tired as she still held onto the large stacks

her, Melissa nudged

don't have more time to

"O..okay."

papers beside her, Rosie put on her

Knock. Knock.

the glass door signaled the driver to start the

in uncomfortable silence as

silence, on a sharp turn, one of the papers

the certificate of

[NGS National Award Certificate]

Melissa crumbled the paper in her hand before

'Useless.'

Rather than feeling any sense of accomplishment from it, all she felt

miss, I don't think you should throw away

carefully picked up the certificate and

there that would be very envious of your

have it

at the ever-changing scenery outside. A low whisper

like anyone

life, but to Melissa, it was just

of many, and one that nobody else she knew cared

had won the

strength. In her family, science and technology were

Melissa would've probably already been thrown out of her

then, it wasn't as though her own

don't think it's a waste of

echoed inside the car. Finally unwrinkling the whole paper, she carefully placed it on

a scientist, doesn't mean that there are

"Shut up."

hair behind her ear, Melissa glared at Rosie

only end up souring my already bad

for a

"As you wish."

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

Riiing—! Riiing—!

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

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

ID. This

Ren would only lead

as persistent

"Ugh."