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.

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

'How useless...'

certificate to her chest and bowed her head toward the cameras

followed by the loud clapping sounds of the audience who stood

persisted for ten minutes, before it was finally

thanked the President of the NGS. A bright smile adorned

'Finally...'

her at the end of the stage was Rosie who immediately jumped at the opportunity to

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

certificate to Rosie, Melissa moodily

"Wahh!"

her balance, Rosie quickly hooked her hand over the papers

"Wait up!"

the stack

I heard

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

would want to participate in a party filled with

great chance to make

them. I

As Melissa gazed around, her eyes soon landed on the

the large car waiting outside and she started walking

"Welcome young miss."

vehicle and opened the door for her. Melissa glanced at him briefly before entering the car and

Clank—!

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 of

glancing at her, Melissa nudged

I don't have more time

"O..okay."

putting the papers beside her, Rosie put

Knock. Knock.

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

as Melissa stared

turn, one

the certificate of

[NGS National Award Certificate]

a clench of her teeth, Melissa crumbled the paper in her

'Useless.'

she thought as she stared at the reward. Rather than feeling

think you should throw

carefully picked up the certificate

that would

have it

at the ever-changing scenery outside. A low whisper escaped her lips as her

anyone

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

that nobody else she knew

say that no one in her family knew she had won the

science and technology were considered nothing but a waste of

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

as though

don't think it's a

voice echoed inside the car. Finally unwrinkling the whole paper,

doesn't accept the fact that you are a scientist, doesn't mean

"Shut up."

hair behind her ear, Melissa glared at Rosie from the corner

will only end

Rosie stared at Melissa for a good

"As you wish."

two sat in silence following her words, a tense atmosphere permeated the

Riiing—! Riiing—!

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

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

user ID. This was

options, she realized that ignoring Ren would only lead to him calling her through other

as persistent as

"Ugh."