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.

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 of Science,

'How useless...'

hugged the certificate to her chest and bowed her head toward

clapping sounds of the audience who stood up from their

before it was finally time for Melissa

she made sure to bow her head one more time and thanked the President of the

'Finally...'

her smile 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 a

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

certificate to Rosie, Melissa

"Wahh!"

balance, Rosie quickly hooked her hand over the papers and

"Wait up!"

of the stack of papers,

I

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

would want to participate in a party filled with perverted

it is a great chance to make

need them. I have

around,

of the large car waiting outside and she started walking toward

"Welcome young miss."

opened the door

Clank—!

for me,

from the other side was Rosie. She looked rather tired as

at her, Melissa nudged

have more

"O..okay."

beside her,

Knock. Knock.

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

as Melissa stared at the

on a sharp turn, one of the papers fell down toward

certificate

[NGS National Award Certificate]

the paper in her hand

'Useless.'

reward. Rather than feeling any sense of accomplishment from it, all

miss, I don't think you should

picked up the certificate and

there that would

have it for all I

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

like anyone else cares

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

and one that

she had won the award,

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

father's influence, Melissa would've

it wasn't as though her own parents liked

it's a

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

a scientist, doesn't mean that there are

"Shut up."

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

them. You will only end up souring my already bad

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—!

sound of Melissa's phone ringing. Furrowing her brows, Melissa took out her phone and looked at the user

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

face twisted as she stared at the user ID. This was probably the last person that

realized that ignoring Ren

was as persistent as a

"Ugh."