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.

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

'How useless...'

Melissa hugged the certificate to her chest and bowed her head toward the

sounds of the audience who stood up

it was finally time for Melissa to finally leave

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

'Finally...'

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

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

Rosie, Melissa moodily stormed

"Wahh!"

quickly hooked her hand over the papers and

"Wait up!"

the stack of papers, Rosie followed her from

I heard that there

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

participate in a party filled with perverted old men that leered at her

a great chance to make great

don't need them. I

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

car waiting outside and she

"Welcome young miss."

the building, 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

at her, Melissa

don't have

"O..okay."

beside her, Rosie put on

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

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

the certificate of

[NGS National Award Certificate]

teeth, Melissa crumbled the

'Useless.'

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

I don't think you should throw away your

picked

are many people out there that would be very

it for all I

A low whisper escaped her

anyone

accomplishments in their life, but to Melissa, it was just

that

in her family knew she had won the award, and even if they did, they would

strength. In her family, science and technology

it not been for her father's influence, Melissa would've probably already been thrown out

then, it wasn't as though her

think it's a waste

unwrinkling the whole paper, she carefully placed it on top

the fact that you are a scientist, doesn't mean

"Shut up."

ear, Melissa glared at Rosie

You will only end up souring

for a good couple

"As you wish."

following her words,

Riiing—! Riiing—!

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

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

stared at the user ID. This was probably the

realized that ignoring Ren would only lead

persistent as a

"Ugh."