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.

outstanding capabilities in the field of research and development. Her outstanding achievements over the past year have earned her this award from the National Group of Science,

'How useless...'

to her chest and bowed her head toward

sounds of the audience who

it was finally time for Melissa

and thanked the President of

'Finally...'

at the end of the stage was Rosie who immediately jumped at the opportunity to congratulate her. In her hands was a large stack of

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

Rosie, Melissa moodily stormed off the

"Wahh!"

quickly hooked her hand over the papers and supported

"Wait up!"

putting the certificate on top of the

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

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

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

a great chance

need them. I have

entered the venue's lobby. As Melissa gazed around, her

sight of the large car waiting outside and

"Welcome young miss."

and opened the door for

Clank—!

for me, young

the other side was Rosie. She

her, Melissa nudged her

I don't have more time to

"O..okay."

beside her, Rosie put on

Knock. Knock.

door signaled the driver to start the car. Within

few minutes were spent in uncomfortable silence as Melissa stared at the ever-changing

midst of the silence, on a sharp turn, one of the papers fell

certificate of today's

[NGS National Award Certificate]

Melissa crumbled the paper in her hand before

'Useless.'

than

don't think you should

picked up the certificate and unwrinkled

out there that would be very envious of

can have it for all I

ever-changing scenery outside. A low whisper

like anyone else cares

accomplishments in their life, but to Melissa, it was just like

of many, and one that nobody

be more accurate to say that no one in her family knew she had won the award, and

family, science and technology were considered nothing

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

wasn't as though her

don't think it's a waste

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

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

"Shut up."

glared at Rosie from the corner of

only end up

stared at Melissa for a

"As you wish."

following her words, a tense atmosphere permeated the

Riiing—! Riiing—!

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

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

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

as she considered her options, she realized that ignoring Ren would

as persistent as

"Ugh."