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.

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

'How useless...'

a bright smile, Melissa hugged the certificate to her chest and bowed

of the audience who stood

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

head one more time and thanked the President of the

'Finally...'

her at the end of the stage was Rosie who immediately jumped at the opportunity

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

the certificate to Rosie, Melissa

"Wahh!"

over the papers and

"Wait up!"

certificate on top of the stack of papers, Rosie

you leaving so early? I heard that there is

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

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

it is a great chance to

them.

lobby. As Melissa gazed around, her eyes soon landed on the enormous

eyes caught sight of the large car waiting outside and she

"Welcome young miss."

man dressed in black stepped out of the vehicle and opened the door for her.

Clank—!

me, young

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

glancing at her, Melissa nudged

I don't have more time

"O..okay."

the papers beside her, Rosie put

Knock. Knock.

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

next few minutes were spent in uncomfortable silence as Melissa

of the silence, on a sharp turn,

certificate of today's

[NGS National Award Certificate]

of her teeth, Melissa crumbled the paper in

'Useless.'

Rather than feeling any sense of

think you should throw

picked up the

there that would be very envious of

it for all I

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

not like anyone else

greatest accomplishments in their life, but to Melissa, it

of many, and one that nobody else she

knew she had won the award,

world was ruled by strength. In her family, science and technology were considered nothing but

influence, Melissa

then, it wasn't as though her own parents liked

it's a waste of

car. Finally unwrinkling the whole paper,

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

"Shut up."

ear, Melissa glared at Rosie from the corner of her

You will only end up souring

at Melissa for a good

"As you wish."

sat in silence following her

Riiing—! Riiing—!

ringing. Furrowing her brows, Melissa

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

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

ignoring Ren would only lead to him calling her through other

was as persistent as a

"Ugh."