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.

of research and development. Her

'How useless...'

hugged the certificate to her chest and bowed her head toward the cameras pointed

were followed by the loud clapping sounds of the audience who stood up from their

was finally time for

time and thanked the President of the NGS. A bright smile adorned

'Finally...'

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

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

to Rosie, Melissa moodily stormed off the

"Wahh!"

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

"Wait up!"

on top of the stack of papers, Rosie followed

I heard that there

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

a party filled with perverted

great chance to make

need them. I

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

large car waiting outside and she started walking toward

"Welcome young miss."

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

Clank—!

me,

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

at her, Melissa nudged her with

have

"O..okay."

her, Rosie put

Knock. Knock.

knock on the glass door signaled the driver to start the car. Within a few seconds, the car had disappeared into the

in uncomfortable silence as Melissa stared at the ever-changing

turn, one

certificate of today's

[NGS National Award Certificate]

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

'Useless.'

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

I don't think you should throw

body, Rosie carefully picked

that would be

can have it

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

like anyone

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

many, and one that

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

strength. In her family, science and technology were considered nothing but

Melissa would've probably

though her

it's a waste

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

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

"Shut up."

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

only end up souring my already

Rosie stared at Melissa for a

"As you wish."

following her words, a tense atmosphere permeated the

Riiing—! Riiing—!

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

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

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

her options, she realized that ignoring Ren would only lead

was as persistent

"Ugh."