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.

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

'How useless...'

certificate to her chest and bowed her head toward the

the audience who stood up from their seats

for ten minutes, before it was finally time for Melissa to finally leave

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

'Finally...'

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

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

to Rosie, Melissa moodily stormed off

"Wahh!"

her hand over the papers and supported the bottom with

"Wait up!"

of the stack of papers, Rosie followed

early? I heard that there is an

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

with perverted old men that

it is a great

need them. I have plenty

Melissa gazed around, her eyes soon landed on the enormous glass

sight of the large car waiting outside and she started walking toward

"Welcome young miss."

opened the door for her. Melissa glanced at him briefly

Clank—!

me,

was Rosie. She looked rather tired as she still held onto the

glancing at her, Melissa nudged her with her

don't have

"O..okay."

papers beside her,

Knock. Knock.

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

next few minutes were spent in uncomfortable silence as Melissa stared at

a sharp turn, one of

certificate of

[NGS National Award Certificate]

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

'Useless.'

as she stared at the reward. Rather than feeling

think you should

picked up the certificate and

people out there that would be very envious of

it for

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

not like anyone else

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

that nobody else she knew cared

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

by strength. In her family, science and technology were considered nothing but a waste of

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

wasn't as though her own parents

think it's

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

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

"Shut up."

behind her ear, Melissa glared at

only end up souring my already bad

Rosie stared at Melissa for a good couple of seconds before she

"As you wish."

her words, a

Riiing—! Riiing—!

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

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

to keep herself from swearing, Melissa's face twisted as she stared at the user ID. This was probably the last person that she wanted to

that ignoring Ren would only lead to him calling her

as persistent as a

"Ugh."