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.

with great pleasure that I congratulate Melissa Hall for her outstanding capabilities in the field of research and development. Her

'How useless...'

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

were followed by the loud clapping sounds of the audience who stood up from their seats to congratulate

was finally time for Melissa

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

'Finally...'

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

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

certificate to Rosie, Melissa moodily stormed off the

"Wahh!"

quickly hooked her hand over the papers and supported the bottom with her

"Wait up!"

on top of the stack of papers, Rosie followed

leaving so early? I heard that

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

participate in a party filled with

it is a great chance to

need them. I

around, her eyes soon landed on the

large car waiting outside

"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

Clank—!

me,

She looked rather tired as she still held onto the large stacks

her, Melissa nudged her with her

don't have

"O..okay."

papers beside her,

Knock. Knock.

the glass door signaled the driver to start the car. Within a few

silence as Melissa stared at

turn, one of the papers fell down

the certificate of today's

[NGS National Award Certificate]

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

'Useless.'

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

I don't think you should

picked up

that would be very envious of

have it for all

scenery outside. A low

not like anyone

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

of many, and one that

would be more accurate to say that no one in her family knew she had won the award, and even if they did,

her family, science

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

though her own parents liked

it's a waste of

voice echoed inside the car. Finally unwrinkling the whole paper,

scientist, doesn't mean that there are people out

"Shut up."

her hair behind her ear, Melissa glared at Rosie from

will only end up souring my already bad

mouth, Rosie stared at Melissa for a good couple of

"As you wish."

following her words, a tense atmosphere

Riiing—! Riiing—!

of Melissa's phone ringing. Furrowing her brows, Melissa took out her phone and looked at the

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

at the user ID.

her options, she realized that ignoring Ren would

as persistent

"Ugh."