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.

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

'How useless...'

to her chest and bowed her head toward the

the

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

she left, she made sure to bow her head one more time and thanked the President of the NGS. A bright smile adorned her face the

'Finally...'

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

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

Melissa moodily stormed off the

"Wahh!"

hand over the papers and supported the bottom with her

"Wait up!"

the stack of papers, Rosie followed her

are you leaving so early? I heard that there

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

want to participate in a party filled with

it is a great chance to make great

don't need them. I

corner, Melissa entered the venue's lobby. As Melissa gazed around, her eyes soon landed on the enormous glass doors in the

car waiting outside

"Welcome young miss."

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

Clank—!

for me,

entering from the other side was Rosie. She looked

Melissa nudged her with her

I don't have more

"O..okay."

putting the papers beside her, Rosie put on

Knock. Knock.

to start the car.

in uncomfortable silence as Melissa stared at

turn, one of the papers fell down toward

the certificate of

[NGS National Award Certificate]

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

'Useless.'

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

you should throw

her body, Rosie carefully picked up the certificate and unwrinkled

people out there that would

can have it

at the ever-changing scenery outside. A low whisper escaped her lips

anyone else

in their life, but

of many, and one that nobody else

that no one in her family knew she had won the award, and even if they did, they would most

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

it not been for her father's influence, Melissa would've

as though

it's

car. Finally unwrinkling the whole paper, she carefully placed

a scientist, doesn't mean that

"Shut up."

glared at Rosie from

will only end up

Melissa for a good couple of seconds

"As you wish."

the two sat in silence following her words, a tense

Riiing—! Riiing—!

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

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

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

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

was as persistent as a

"Ugh."