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.

congratulate Melissa Hall for her outstanding capabilities in the field of research and development. Her outstanding achievements over

'How useless...'

the certificate to her

of the audience who stood up from

ten minutes, before it was finally

to bow her head one more time and thanked the President of the NGS. A bright smile adorned her face the entire

'Finally...'

the stage, her smile vanished from her face. Waiting for her at the end of the stage was Rosie who immediately jumped at the opportunity to congratulate her. In her hands was

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

Melissa moodily stormed

"Wahh!"

her hand over the papers and supported the bottom with

"Wait up!"

on top of the stack of papers, Rosie followed her

why are you leaving so early? I

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

to participate in a party filled with perverted

great chance

need them. I

around, her eyes soon landed on the enormous glass

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

"Welcome young miss."

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

Clank—!

me,

was Rosie. She

glancing at her, Melissa nudged

in, I don't have more time

"O..okay."

her, Rosie

Knock. Knock.

glass door signaled the driver to start the

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

turn, one of the papers

the certificate

[NGS National Award Certificate]

of her teeth, Melissa crumbled the paper in her hand before throwing

'Useless.'

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

I don't think you should throw

her body, Rosie carefully picked

out there that

it for all I

as she continued to stare at the ever-changing scenery outside. A low whisper escaped

not like anyone

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

many, and one that

in her family knew she had won the award, and even if they did, they would most likely not

family, science and technology were

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

though her

think it's a waste of

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

are a scientist, doesn't mean that

"Shut up."

Melissa glared at Rosie from

will only end up souring

her mouth, Rosie stared at Melissa for a good couple of

"As you wish."

sat in silence following her words, a tense

Riiing—! Riiing—!

Furrowing her brows, Melissa took out her phone and looked at the user

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

the user ID.

that ignoring Ren would only lead

as persistent as

"Ugh."