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...'

certificate to her chest

were followed by the loud clapping sounds of the

was finally time for

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

'Finally...'

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

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

certificate to Rosie, Melissa moodily stormed off the

"Wahh!"

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

"Wait up!"

on top of the stack of

early? I heard that there is an

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

would want to participate in a party filled with perverted old

is a great chance to make great

them. I

around, her eyes soon

large car waiting outside and she

"Welcome young miss."

black stepped out of the vehicle and opened the door for her. Melissa glanced

Clank—!

for me,

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

her, Melissa nudged

have more

"O..okay."

the papers beside her, Rosie

Knock. Knock.

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

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

a sharp turn, one of the papers

certificate of today's

[NGS National Award Certificate]

a clench of her teeth, Melissa crumbled the paper in

'Useless.'

Rather than feeling any sense of accomplishment from it, all she felt was

you

Rosie carefully picked up the

out there that would

it for all I

A low whisper escaped her lips as her

like anyone else cares

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

of many, and one that

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

was ruled by strength. In her family, science and

not been for her father's influence, Melissa would've

though her

don't think it's a

paper, she carefully placed it on top of the stack

because your family doesn't accept the fact that you are a scientist, doesn't mean that

"Shut up."

her ear, Melissa glared at Rosie from the corner of her

You will only end up souring my

for a

"As you wish."

silence following her words, a tense atmosphere permeated the

Riiing—! Riiing—!

of Melissa's phone ringing. Furrowing her brows, Melissa took out her phone

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

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

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

was as persistent as a

"Ugh."