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.

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

'How useless...'

certificate to her chest and bowed

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

ten minutes, before it was finally time for Melissa

left, she made sure to bow her head one more time and thanked the President of the NGS.

'Finally...'

of the stage was

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

certificate to Rosie, Melissa moodily stormed off the

"Wahh!"

over the

"Wait up!"

the stack of

you leaving so early? I heard that

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

a party filled with perverted old men that leered at her

great chance to make

them. I

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

large car waiting outside and she started

"Welcome young miss."

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

Clank—!

me, young

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

at her, Melissa nudged her with

I don't have

"O..okay."

beside her, Rosie put on her

Knock. Knock.

glass door signaled the driver to start the car. Within a few

minutes were spent in uncomfortable silence as Melissa stared at

a sharp turn, one of the papers fell

the certificate of today's

[NGS National Award Certificate]

clench of her teeth, Melissa crumbled the paper

'Useless.'

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

you

carefully picked up the certificate and

out there that would be very

it

scenery outside. A low whisper escaped her lips as her

anyone else

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

of many, and one that nobody else she knew cared

one in her family knew she had won

ruled by strength. In her family, science and

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

as though her

don't think it's a waste

voice echoed inside the car. Finally unwrinkling the whole paper, she carefully placed it on top of the stack of

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

"Shut up."

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

talk about them. You will only

mouth, Rosie stared at Melissa for a good couple of seconds before she nodded her

"As you wish."

following her words, a tense atmosphere permeated

Riiing—! Riiing—!

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."

stared at the user ID. This was probably the

that ignoring Ren would only lead to him

as persistent

"Ugh."