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.

and development. Her outstanding achievements over the past

'How useless...'

hugged the certificate to her chest and bowed her

sounds of the audience who stood

it was finally time

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

'Finally...'

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

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

certificate to Rosie, Melissa moodily stormed off the

"Wahh!"

her balance, Rosie quickly hooked her hand over the

"Wait up!"

of the stack of papers,

early? I heard that

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

a party filled with perverted old men that leered

great chance to make

them. I

As Melissa gazed around, her eyes soon

her eyes caught sight of the large car waiting outside and she started walking toward it

"Welcome young miss."

of the vehicle and opened the door for her. Melissa glanced at him briefly

Clank—!

me,

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

glancing at her, Melissa nudged

don't have more time to

"O..okay."

the papers beside her, Rosie put on

Knock. Knock.

the glass door signaled the driver to start the car.

as Melissa stared at the ever-changing scenery outside of

a sharp turn, one of

the certificate of today's

[NGS National Award Certificate]

of her teeth, Melissa crumbled the paper in her hand before

'Useless.'

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

I don't think you should throw away your

her body, Rosie carefully picked up the certificate and

that would be very envious of your

can have it for all

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

anyone else

would've been their greatest accomplishments in their life, but to Melissa, it was just

and one that nobody

she had won the

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

been for her father's influence, Melissa would've

though her own parents

it's

Finally unwrinkling the whole paper, she carefully placed it

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

"Shut up."

ear, Melissa glared at Rosie from the

talk about them. You will only end

mouth, Rosie stared at Melissa for a good couple of

"As you wish."

silence following her words, a tense atmosphere permeated

Riiing—! Riiing—!

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

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

to keep herself from swearing, Melissa's face twisted as she stared at the user ID. This

her options, she realized that ignoring Ren would

persistent

"Ugh."