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.

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

'How useless...'

Melissa hugged the certificate to her chest and bowed her

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

before it was finally time for Melissa

time and thanked the President of the NGS. A bright smile adorned her face the entire

'Finally...'

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

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

Rosie, Melissa moodily stormed

"Wahh!"

Rosie quickly hooked her hand over the papers and

"Wait up!"

of the stack of papers, Rosie followed

early? I heard

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

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

is a great chance to

need them. I

gazed around,

the large car waiting outside and

"Welcome young miss."

building, a man dressed in black stepped out of the vehicle and opened the door for her. Melissa glanced

Clank—!

me, young

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

Melissa nudged her

in, I don't have more time to

"O..okay."

her, Rosie put on her

Knock. Knock.

the car. Within a few seconds,

spent in uncomfortable silence as Melissa stared at the

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

the certificate of today's

[NGS National Award Certificate]

the

'Useless.'

the reward. Rather than feeling any sense of accomplishment from

I don't think you should throw away your

carefully picked up the

out there that would be very envious

can have it for all I

scenery outside. A

anyone

life, but to Melissa, it was just like

many, and one that nobody

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

ruled by strength. In her family, science

it not been for her father's influence, Melissa would've probably already been thrown out of

as though her

don't think it's a

the whole paper, she carefully placed it on top of the stack

a scientist, doesn't mean that there are people out there that don't accept you for

"Shut up."

ear, Melissa glared at Rosie from the

talk about them. You will only end

at Melissa for a good couple of

"As you wish."

her words, a tense atmosphere permeated the

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

options, she realized that ignoring Ren would only lead to him

persistent as a

"Ugh."