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.

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

'How useless...'

bright smile, Melissa hugged the certificate to her chest and bowed her head toward the cameras pointed at

by the loud clapping sounds of the audience who

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

head one more time and thanked the President of the NGS. A

'Finally...'

her face. Waiting for her at the end of the stage was Rosie who immediately jumped

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

Melissa moodily stormed off

"Wahh!"

quickly hooked her hand over the papers and

"Wait up!"

putting the certificate on top of the stack of papers, Rosie followed her

you leaving so early? I heard that there is an after

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

party filled with perverted old men that leered at her with every chance

is a great chance to make great

them. I have plenty

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

caught sight of the large car waiting outside

"Welcome young miss."

opened the door for her. Melissa glanced at him briefly before

Clank—!

me,

car, entering from the other side was Rosie. She looked

at her, Melissa nudged her

I don't have more time to

"O..okay."

her, Rosie put on her

Knock. Knock.

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

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

on a sharp turn, one of the papers fell

the certificate of today's

[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 it,

I don't think you

Rosie carefully picked up

that would

can have it

A low whisper escaped her lips as her

like anyone else

others, such achievements would've been their greatest accomplishments in their life, but to

and one that nobody else she knew

accurate to say that no one in her family knew she had won the award, and even if they did, they would most likely not

world was ruled by strength. In her family, science and technology were considered nothing

father's influence, Melissa would've probably already been

it wasn't as though her own

don't think it's a

voice echoed inside the car. Finally unwrinkling the whole paper, she carefully placed

doesn't mean that there are people out there that don't accept you for

"Shut up."

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

will only end up souring my

her mouth, Rosie stared at Melissa for a good couple of seconds before she nodded

"As you wish."

sat in silence following her words, a tense atmosphere permeated

Riiing—! Riiing—!

her brows, Melissa

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

at the user ID. This was probably the last person that she wanted to talk to at the

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

persistent as a

"Ugh."