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

'How useless...'

a bright smile, Melissa hugged the certificate to her chest and bowed her head

by the loud clapping sounds of the audience who stood

before it was finally time for Melissa

bow her head one more time and thanked the

'Finally...'

stage, her smile vanished from her face. Waiting for her at the end of the stage was Rosie who immediately jumped at the

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

the certificate to Rosie, Melissa moodily stormed off

"Wahh!"

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

"Wait up!"

of the stack of papers, Rosie

so early? I heard that there is

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

if she would want to participate in a party filled with perverted

a great chance

don't need them. I have

As Melissa gazed around, her eyes

large car waiting outside and she started

"Welcome young miss."

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

Clank—!

me,

the car, entering from the other side was Rosie. She

at her, Melissa nudged

don't have more time

"O..okay."

the papers beside her, Rosie

Knock. Knock.

knock on the glass door signaled the driver to start the

next few minutes were spent in uncomfortable silence as Melissa stared at

silence, on a sharp turn, one of the papers fell down toward Melissa's

the certificate of today's

[NGS National Award Certificate]

of her teeth, Melissa crumbled the paper

'Useless.'

was all she thought as she stared at the reward. Rather than feeling any sense of

don't think you

her body, Rosie carefully picked

many people out there that would be very

have it for

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

anyone else cares

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

that nobody

one in her family knew she had won the award,

family, science and technology

influence, Melissa would've probably already been thrown out of her

wasn't as though her own

think it's a waste

paper, she carefully placed it

a scientist, doesn't

"Shut up."

Melissa glared at

about them. You will only end up souring my already

Rosie stared at Melissa for a good couple of seconds before she nodded

"As you wish."

her words, a

Riiing—! Riiing—!

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

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

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

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

was as persistent as a

"Ugh."