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.

in the field of research and development. Her outstanding achievements over the past year have earned her this award from

'How useless...'

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

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

before it was finally time

her head one more time and thanked the

'Finally...'

Waiting for her at the end of the stage was Rosie who

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

the certificate to Rosie, Melissa

"Wahh!"

losing her balance, Rosie quickly hooked her hand over the papers

"Wait up!"

the certificate on top of the stack

are you leaving so early? I heard that there is

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

want to participate in a party filled with perverted old

a great

don't need them. I have

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

the large car waiting outside and she started walking

"Welcome young miss."

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

Clank—!

for me, young

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

Melissa nudged her with

I don't have more time to

"O..okay."

putting the papers beside her, Rosie put

Knock. Knock.

door signaled the driver to start the car. Within a

as Melissa stared at the ever-changing

of the silence, on a sharp turn, one of the

certificate of

[NGS National Award Certificate]

teeth, Melissa crumbled the paper in her

'Useless.'

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

miss, I don't think you should throw away your

picked up

there that would be very

it for all

the ever-changing scenery outside. A low whisper escaped

like anyone

their life, but to Melissa, it was just like

many, and one that nobody else

to say that no one in her family knew she had won the

by strength. In her family, science

Melissa would've probably already been thrown out of

though

it's a waste of

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

the fact that you are a scientist, doesn't mean that there are people out there that don't accept you for

"Shut up."

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

them. You will only end up souring my

stared at Melissa for a good couple of

"As you wish."

sat in silence following her words, a tense atmosphere permeated the

Riiing—! Riiing—!

Melissa's phone ringing. Furrowing her brows, Melissa took out

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

at the user ID. This was probably the last person

Ren would only lead to him calling her

as persistent

"Ugh."