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.

for her outstanding capabilities in the field of research and development. Her outstanding achievements over the past year have earned

'How useless...'

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

loud clapping sounds of the audience who stood up

finally time for Melissa to finally leave the

thanked the President

'Finally...'

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

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

the certificate to Rosie, Melissa moodily

"Wahh!"

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

"Wait up!"

on top of the

early? I heard that there is an

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

filled with perverted old

great chance to

need them. I

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

large car waiting outside and she started walking toward it

"Welcome young miss."

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

Clank—!

for me,

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

glancing at her, Melissa

have more

"O..okay."

beside her, Rosie put

Knock. Knock.

the car. Within a few seconds, the car

minutes were spent in uncomfortable silence as Melissa stared

on a sharp turn, one of the papers fell down toward Melissa's

was the certificate

[NGS National Award Certificate]

teeth, Melissa crumbled the paper in her hand

'Useless.'

was all she thought as she stared at the reward. Rather than feeling any sense of accomplishment from

don't think you should throw away your

picked up the certificate and unwrinkled

are many people out there that would be very envious of

it for all

as she continued to stare at the ever-changing scenery outside. A low whisper escaped her lips as her

not like anyone else

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

of many, and one that

she had won the award, and even if they did,

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

her father's influence, Melissa would've probably

as though her

think it's a waste of

car. Finally unwrinkling the whole paper, she carefully placed it on top

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

"Shut up."

Melissa glared at Rosie from the corner of

will only end up

at Melissa for a good couple of seconds before she nodded her

"As you wish."

following her words, a tense

Riiing—! Riiing—!

silence was the sound of Melissa's phone ringing. Furrowing her brows, Melissa

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

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

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

as persistent as

"Ugh."