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.

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

'How useless...'

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

sounds of the audience who stood

minutes, before it was finally time for Melissa to finally leave

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

'Finally...'

the end of the stage was Rosie who immediately jumped

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

Rosie, Melissa moodily stormed off the

"Wahh!"

Rosie quickly hooked her hand over the papers

"Wait up!"

the certificate on top of the stack of papers, Rosie followed

you leaving so early? I

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

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

is a great chance to make great

don't need them.

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

her eyes caught sight of the large car waiting outside

"Welcome young miss."

the door

Clank—!

for me,

other side was Rosie. She looked rather tired as she still held onto the

her, Melissa nudged her with

have more time

"O..okay."

putting the papers beside her, Rosie put on

Knock. Knock.

on the glass door signaled the driver to start the car. Within a few seconds, the car had

few minutes were spent in uncomfortable silence as Melissa stared at the

sharp turn, one of the papers fell down

the certificate

[NGS National Award Certificate]

Melissa crumbled the paper in her

'Useless.'

thought as she stared at the reward. Rather than

I don't think you should throw away your

body, Rosie carefully picked up

many people out there that would be very envious

can have it

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

like anyone

been their greatest accomplishments in their life, but

many, and one that nobody

family knew she had won the award, and even if

her family, science and technology were

influence, Melissa would've probably already been thrown out of

as though her own parents

think it's a

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

fact that you are a scientist, doesn't mean that there

"Shut up."

her hair behind her ear, Melissa glared at Rosie from

will only end

mouth, Rosie stared at Melissa for a good

"As you wish."

two sat in silence following her

Riiing—! Riiing—!

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

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

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

that ignoring Ren would only

as persistent as

"Ugh."