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.

research and development. Her outstanding achievements over the past year have earned her this award from the National

'How useless...'

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

loud clapping sounds of the

before it was finally time for Melissa to finally leave

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

'Finally...'

the stage was Rosie who immediately jumped at the opportunity to congratulate her. In her

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

certificate to Rosie, Melissa

"Wahh!"

hand over the papers and supported the bottom with

"Wait up!"

on top of the stack of

you leaving so early? I heard that there is

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

participate in a party filled with perverted old men that

a great chance to make great

need them. I have plenty

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

her eyes caught sight of the large car waiting outside and she started

"Welcome young miss."

stepped out of the vehicle and opened the

Clank—!

for me,

Rosie. She looked rather tired as she still

at her, Melissa nudged her

I don't have more

"O..okay."

beside her,

Knock. Knock.

start the car. Within a few seconds, the car had

minutes were spent in uncomfortable silence as Melissa stared

sharp turn, one of the papers fell down toward

the certificate of

[NGS National Award Certificate]

crumbled the paper in her

'Useless.'

the reward. Rather than feeling any sense of accomplishment from it, all

you should throw away your

Rosie carefully picked up the certificate and

there that would be

it for

outside. A low whisper escaped her lips

anyone

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

of many, and one that nobody

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

strength. In her family, science and technology

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

then, it wasn't as though her own

don't think it's a waste

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

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

"Shut up."

behind her ear, Melissa glared at Rosie

about them. You will only end up souring my already

at Melissa for a

"As you wish."

following her words, a tense

Riiing—! Riiing—!

ringing. Furrowing her brows, Melissa took out her phone and

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

keep herself from swearing, Melissa's face twisted as she stared at the user ID.

that ignoring Ren would

as persistent as

"Ugh."