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.

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

'How useless...'

on a bright smile, Melissa hugged the certificate to her chest and bowed her head toward the cameras pointed at

of the audience who stood up from their seats

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

one more time and thanked the President of

'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

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

to Rosie, Melissa moodily

"Wahh!"

her hand over the

"Wait up!"

certificate on top of the stack of

leaving so early? I heard that there is

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

would want to participate in a party filled with perverted

great

need them. I have plenty

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

the large car waiting outside and she started walking

"Welcome young miss."

exiting 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 car

Clank—!

for me, young

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

Melissa

in, I don't have more time

"O..okay."

her, Rosie put on

Knock. Knock.

to start the

spent in uncomfortable silence as Melissa stared

silence, on a sharp turn, one of the papers fell down toward

certificate

[NGS National Award Certificate]

Melissa crumbled the paper

'Useless.'

as she stared at the reward. Rather than feeling any sense

don't think you should throw away your

body, Rosie carefully picked

are many people out there that would be very envious

have it for all

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

not like anyone

others, such achievements would've been their greatest accomplishments in their life, but to Melissa, it was just like any other reward out

many, and one that nobody else

in her family knew she had won the award, and even if they

her family, science and technology were

Melissa would've probably already been thrown

wasn't as though her

don't think it's a waste of

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

scientist, doesn't mean that there

"Shut up."

her ear, Melissa glared at Rosie

them. You will only

for a good couple of

"As you wish."

her words, a tense atmosphere permeated the

Riiing—! Riiing—!

ringing. Furrowing her brows, Melissa took out her phone and

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

stared at the user ID. This was probably the last person

her options, she realized that ignoring Ren

was as persistent

"Ugh."