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.

great pleasure that I congratulate Melissa Hall for her outstanding capabilities in the field of research and development. Her outstanding

'How useless...'

hugged the certificate to her chest and bowed

actions were followed by the loud clapping sounds of the audience who

before it was finally time for Melissa

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

'Finally...'

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

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

Rosie, Melissa moodily

"Wahh!"

hooked her hand over the papers and supported

"Wait up!"

on top of the stack

I

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

want to participate in a party filled with perverted old men that leered at her with every chance they

great chance

them.

turning the corner, Melissa entered the venue's lobby. As Melissa gazed around, her eyes soon landed

car waiting outside and

"Welcome young miss."

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

Clank—!

me,

She looked rather tired as she still held onto the large stacks of

at her, Melissa nudged her

don't have

"O..okay."

her, Rosie

Knock. Knock.

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

were spent in uncomfortable silence as Melissa stared at the ever-changing scenery outside

a sharp turn,

certificate

[NGS National Award Certificate]

clench of her teeth, Melissa crumbled the paper in her hand before

'Useless.'

all she thought as she stared at the reward. Rather than feeling any sense of accomplishment from it, all she felt was

think you should throw

body, Rosie carefully picked up the certificate

out there that would

have it

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

anyone else

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

one that nobody else she knew cared

more accurate to say that no one in her family knew she had

her family, science

father's influence, Melissa would've probably already been thrown

wasn't as though her

it's

whole paper, she

a scientist, doesn't mean that there are people out

"Shut up."

ear, Melissa glared at Rosie from the corner

will only end

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

Riiing—! Riiing—!

silence was the sound of Melissa's phone ringing. Furrowing her brows, Melissa took out her

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

to keep herself from swearing, Melissa's face twisted as she stared at the user ID. This was probably the last person that she wanted

that ignoring Ren would only

as persistent as

"Ugh."