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.

is with great pleasure that I congratulate Melissa Hall for her outstanding capabilities in the field of research and development. Her outstanding achievements over the past year have earned her this award from the National Group of Science,

'How useless...'

certificate to her chest and bowed

of the audience who stood up from their

finally time for Melissa

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

'Finally...'

for her at the end of the stage was Rosie who

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

Rosie, Melissa

"Wahh!"

hooked her hand over

"Wait up!"

on top of the stack of papers, Rosie followed her

you leaving so early? I heard that there is an

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

want to participate in a party filled with perverted old men that

great chance

need them. I have plenty

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

caught sight of the large car waiting outside and she started walking

"Welcome young miss."

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

Clank—!

for me,

She looked rather tired as she

at her, Melissa nudged her with

have more time to

"O..okay."

putting the papers beside her,

Knock. Knock.

door signaled the driver to start the car. Within

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

silence, on a sharp turn, one of the papers fell down

the certificate

[NGS National Award Certificate]

Melissa crumbled the paper

'Useless.'

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

don't think you should

picked up the certificate

that

have it for

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

like anyone

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

of many, and one that nobody

in her family knew she had won the award, and even if they did, they would most likely not

In her family, science and technology were

Melissa would've probably already been

wasn't as though her

don't think it's a

whole paper, she carefully placed it

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

"Shut up."

her ear, Melissa glared at Rosie from the

about them. You will only end up souring my already bad

at Melissa for a good couple

"As you wish."

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

Riiing—! Riiing—!

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

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

from swearing, Melissa's face twisted as she stared at the user ID. This was probably the last

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

as persistent

"Ugh."