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

'How useless...'

certificate to her chest and bowed her head toward

of the audience who

persisted for ten minutes, before it was finally time

left, she made sure to bow her head one more time and thanked the

'Finally...'

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

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

Melissa moodily stormed

"Wahh!"

her hand over the papers and supported the bottom with

"Wait up!"

top of the stack of papers, Rosie

you leaving so early? I heard

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

a party filled with perverted old men that leered at

it is a great chance

don't need them. I have

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

of the large car waiting

"Welcome young miss."

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

Clank—!

me, young

other side was Rosie. She looked rather tired as she still held onto the large stacks of

Melissa

don't have

"O..okay."

beside her, Rosie put

Knock. Knock.

the car. Within a few seconds, the

silence as Melissa stared at the

on a sharp turn, one of the papers fell

the certificate of

[NGS National Award Certificate]

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

'Useless.'

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

I don't think you

body, Rosie carefully picked up the

there that would be very envious of

have it

the ever-changing scenery outside. A low whisper escaped her lips as her eyes closed

like anyone else cares

accomplishments in their life, but to Melissa, it was just like any other reward out

of many, and one that nobody else she knew

more accurate to say that no one in her family knew she had

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

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

then, it wasn't as though her own parents

think it's a waste of

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

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

"Shut up."

her ear, Melissa glared at Rosie

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

a good

"As you wish."

following her words, a tense atmosphere permeated

Riiing—! Riiing—!

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

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

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

that ignoring Ren would only lead to him calling

persistent as

"Ugh."