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

'How useless...'

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

followed by the loud clapping sounds of the audience who stood up from their

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

time and thanked the President of the NGS. A bright smile adorned her face the entire

'Finally...'

Waiting for her 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."

certificate to Rosie, Melissa

"Wahh!"

her hand over the papers and supported

"Wait up!"

certificate on top of the stack of papers,

you leaving so early? I heard that there is

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

want to participate in a party filled with

a great

them. I have

turning the corner, Melissa entered the venue's lobby. As Melissa gazed around, her eyes soon landed on the enormous

the large car waiting outside and she

"Welcome young miss."

the door

Clank—!

me, young

entered the car, entering from the other side was Rosie. She looked rather tired as she still held onto the large

at her, Melissa nudged her with

have more

"O..okay."

beside her,

Knock. Knock.

to start the car. Within a few seconds, the

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

of the silence, on a sharp turn, one of

certificate of

[NGS National Award Certificate]

her teeth, Melissa crumbled the paper in her hand before

'Useless.'

stared at the reward. Rather than feeling any sense of accomplishment from

think you

picked up the certificate and

many people out there that would be very envious of your

it for

A low whisper escaped

like anyone else cares

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

many, and one that

that no one in her family knew she had won the award, and even if

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

father's influence, Melissa would've probably already been thrown

though her own parents liked

don't think it's a waste

paper, she carefully placed it on top of the stack of

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

"Shut up."

her ear, Melissa glared at Rosie from the corner of

talk about them. You will only

Melissa for a good couple of seconds before she nodded her

"As you wish."

two sat in silence following her

Riiing—! Riiing—!

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

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

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

she realized that ignoring Ren would only lead to

was as persistent

"Ugh."