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.

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

'How useless...'

to her chest and bowed her head toward

sounds of the audience who stood up from

it was finally time for Melissa to

thanked the President of the NGS. A bright smile adorned her

'Finally...'

the end of the stage was Rosie

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

to Rosie, Melissa moodily stormed off

"Wahh!"

her hand over

"Wait up!"

putting the certificate on top of the stack

so early? I heard

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

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

great

need them. I have

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

sight of the large car waiting outside and she started walking toward

"Welcome young miss."

in black stepped out of the vehicle and opened the door for her. Melissa glanced

Clank—!

for me, young

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

glancing at her, Melissa nudged her with

don't have more

"O..okay."

her, Rosie

Knock. Knock.

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

silence as Melissa

of the silence, on a sharp turn, one of the

the certificate of today's

[NGS National Award Certificate]

Melissa crumbled the

'Useless.'

reward. Rather than feeling any sense of accomplishment from it, all she

think you should throw away your

Rosie carefully picked up

are many people out there that would be very envious

can have it for

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

like anyone else

achievements would've been their greatest accomplishments in their life, but to Melissa,

and one that nobody

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

strength. In her family, science and technology were considered nothing but a waste of

influence, Melissa would've probably already

wasn't as though her

think it's a waste of

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

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

"Shut up."

her ear, Melissa glared at Rosie from the corner of her

will only

mouth, Rosie stared at Melissa for a good

"As you wish."

her words, a tense

Riiing—! Riiing—!

the silence was the sound of Melissa's phone ringing. Furrowing her brows, Melissa took

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

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

her options, she realized that ignoring Ren would

persistent

"Ugh."