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.

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

'How useless...'

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

sounds of the

it was finally time for

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

'Finally...'

face. Waiting for her at the end of the stage was Rosie who immediately jumped at the opportunity to

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

to Rosie, Melissa moodily stormed

"Wahh!"

her balance, Rosie quickly hooked her hand over the papers and supported the bottom with

"Wait up!"

putting the certificate on top of the stack of papers, Rosie followed her from

so early? I heard that there is an after

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

want to participate in a party filled with perverted old men that leered

a great

don't need them. I

around, her eyes soon landed on the enormous

sight of the large car waiting outside and

"Welcome young miss."

vehicle and opened the door

Clank—!

me, young

after she entered the car, entering from the other side was Rosie. She looked rather

Melissa nudged her

in, I don't have

"O..okay."

papers beside her, Rosie put on

Knock. Knock.

the car. Within a few seconds, the car

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

silence, on a sharp turn, one of

certificate of

[NGS National Award Certificate]

the paper in her hand before throwing

'Useless.'

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

you should

Rosie carefully picked up the certificate and

that would be

can have it for all

A low whisper escaped her lips as her eyes closed for a

like anyone

been their greatest accomplishments in their life, but to

many, and one that nobody else

be more accurate to say that no one in her family knew she had won the award, and even if they did,

ruled by strength. In her family, science and technology were considered

not been for her father's influence, Melissa would've probably already

then, it wasn't as though her

don't think it's

paper, she carefully placed it on top of

doesn't mean that there

"Shut up."

Melissa glared at Rosie from the corner of

about them. You will only end up souring my already

stared at Melissa for a good couple of seconds before

"As you wish."

silence following her words, a tense atmosphere permeated

Riiing—! Riiing—!

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

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

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

realized that ignoring Ren would only lead to him calling her through

persistent

"Ugh."