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.

of research and development. Her outstanding achievements over the past year have earned her this award from the National Group of Science,

'How useless...'

her chest and bowed her head toward the cameras pointed at

of the audience who stood up from their seats to congratulate

was finally time

bow her head one more time and thanked the President of the NGS. A bright smile

'Finally...'

of the stage was Rosie who immediately

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

certificate to Rosie, Melissa moodily stormed

"Wahh!"

losing her balance, Rosie quickly hooked her hand over

"Wait up!"

top of the stack of papers, Rosie followed

why are you leaving so early? I

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

party filled with perverted old men that leered at her

it is a great chance to make great

them.

around, her eyes soon landed on the enormous glass

of the large car waiting outside and she started walking toward

"Welcome young miss."

exiting the building, a man dressed in black stepped out of the vehicle and opened the door for her. Melissa glanced

Clank—!

me, young

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

at her, Melissa

I don't have more time to

"O..okay."

papers beside her, Rosie put on

Knock. Knock.

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

in uncomfortable silence as Melissa stared at the ever-changing scenery

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

was the certificate

[NGS National Award Certificate]

her teeth, Melissa crumbled the paper in her

'Useless.'

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

miss, I don't think you should throw away

carefully picked up

that would be very envious of

have it for

outside. A low

anyone

been their greatest accomplishments in their life, but to Melissa, it was just like any other

one that nobody else she

that no one in her family knew she had won the award, and even if they did, they would

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

father's influence, Melissa would've probably

though her own

it's a

inside the car. Finally unwrinkling the whole paper,

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

"Shut up."

her ear, Melissa glared at Rosie from the corner of

You will only end up

Rosie stared at Melissa for a good couple of

"As you wish."

sat in silence following her words, a

Riiing—! Riiing—!

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

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

as she stared at the user ID. This was probably the

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

persistent as a

"Ugh."