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.

is with great pleasure that I congratulate Melissa Hall for her outstanding capabilities in the field of research and development. Her outstanding achievements over the past year have earned her this award

'How useless...'

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

clapping sounds of the audience who stood up from their seats to

was finally time for Melissa to finally

more time and thanked the President of

'Finally...'

for her at the end of the stage was

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

certificate to Rosie, Melissa moodily

"Wahh!"

hooked her hand over

"Wait up!"

top of the

why are you leaving so early? I

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

in a party filled with perverted old men that leered at

great

need them. I have

Melissa entered the venue's lobby. As Melissa gazed around, her

caught sight of the large car waiting outside and she started walking toward it

"Welcome young miss."

building, a man dressed in black stepped out of the vehicle and opened the door for her. Melissa glanced at him briefly before entering the

Clank—!

for me, young

after she entered the car, entering from the other side was Rosie. She looked rather tired as she still held

at her, Melissa

don't have more time

"O..okay."

her, Rosie

Knock. Knock.

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

minutes were spent in uncomfortable silence as

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

certificate of

[NGS National Award Certificate]

teeth, Melissa crumbled the paper in her hand before throwing

'Useless.'

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

think you should throw away

Rosie carefully picked up the certificate

many people out there that would

can have it for all I

outside. A low whisper escaped her lips as

like anyone else cares

greatest accomplishments in their life, but to

and one that nobody else

knew she had won the award, and

was ruled by strength. In her family, science

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

though her own parents liked

it's a waste of

echoed inside the car. Finally unwrinkling the whole paper,

because your family doesn't accept the fact that you are a scientist, doesn't

"Shut up."

glared at Rosie from the

talk about them. You will only end up souring my

Rosie stared at Melissa for a good couple

"As you wish."

her words, a tense

Riiing—! Riiing—!

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

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

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

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

persistent as a

"Ugh."