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.

great pleasure that I congratulate Melissa Hall for her outstanding capabilities in the field of research and development. Her outstanding achievements over the past year have earned her

'How useless...'

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

actions were followed by the loud clapping sounds of the audience who

persisted for ten minutes, before it was finally time for Melissa

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

'Finally...'

stage was Rosie who immediately jumped at the opportunity to congratulate her. In her hands was a large

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

certificate to Rosie, Melissa moodily

"Wahh!"

quickly hooked her hand over the

"Wait up!"

putting the certificate on top of the stack of papers,

early? I heard

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

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

it is a great chance to make great

them. I have plenty

entered the venue's lobby. As Melissa gazed around,

the large car waiting outside and she started walking

"Welcome young miss."

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

Clank—!

me, young

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

at her, Melissa nudged her

in, I don't have more

"O..okay."

her, Rosie put

Knock. Knock.

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

minutes were spent in uncomfortable silence as Melissa stared at the ever-changing scenery

on a sharp turn, one of the papers fell

was the certificate

[NGS National Award Certificate]

Melissa crumbled the paper in her hand

'Useless.'

stared at the reward. Rather than feeling

think you should throw away your

carefully picked up the

many people out there that would be very envious

have it for all I

continued to stare at the ever-changing scenery outside. A low whisper

like anyone else cares

life, but to Melissa, it was just like any other reward out

many, and one that nobody else she

had won the award, and even if they did,

by strength. In her family, science and technology

not been for her father's influence, Melissa

as though her own

think it's a

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

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

"Shut up."

her hair behind her ear, Melissa glared

talk about them. You will only end up souring my

mouth, Rosie stared at Melissa for a good

"As you wish."

silence following her words, a tense atmosphere permeated the

Riiing—! Riiing—!

ringing. Furrowing her brows, Melissa took out her phone and

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

at the user ID. This was probably the last person that she wanted to talk to

options, she realized that ignoring Ren would

as persistent as a

"Ugh."