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.

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 this award from the National

'How useless...'

hugged the certificate to her chest and bowed her head toward the cameras pointed

of the

before it was finally time for

head one more time and thanked the President of the NGS.

'Finally...'

stage, her smile vanished from her face. Waiting for her at the end of the stage was Rosie who immediately jumped at the opportunity to congratulate her. In her hands was

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

the certificate to Rosie, Melissa moodily stormed

"Wahh!"

her balance, Rosie quickly hooked her hand over the

"Wait up!"

certificate on top of the

I

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

in a party filled with perverted old

it is a great chance to make

them.

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

car waiting outside and she started

"Welcome young miss."

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

Clank—!

me,

She looked rather

at her, Melissa nudged

don't have more

"O..okay."

the papers beside her, Rosie put

Knock. Knock.

the driver to start the car. Within a few seconds,

as

a sharp turn, one of the papers fell

was the certificate

[NGS National Award Certificate]

the paper in her

'Useless.'

at the reward. Rather than feeling any sense of

don't think you

her body, Rosie carefully picked up the certificate

that would be very envious of your

have it for all I

stare at the ever-changing scenery outside. A low whisper escaped her lips as her eyes closed for

not like anyone else

their greatest accomplishments in their life, but to Melissa, it was just

of many, and one that nobody else she

be more accurate to say that no one in her family knew she had won the award, and even if they did, they would most

world was ruled by strength. In her family, science and

it not been for her father's influence, Melissa would've

wasn't as though

don't think it's a waste of

whole paper, she carefully placed it on top 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."

her ear, Melissa glared

You will only end up souring my already

for a good couple of seconds

"As you wish."

in silence following her words, a tense atmosphere permeated

Riiing—! Riiing—!

phone ringing. Furrowing her brows, Melissa

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

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

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

persistent as a

"Ugh."