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

'How useless...'

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

were followed by the loud clapping sounds of the audience who stood up from their

it was finally time for Melissa to finally leave

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

'Finally...'

smile vanished from her face. Waiting for her at the end of the stage was Rosie who immediately jumped

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

the certificate to Rosie, Melissa moodily stormed off the

"Wahh!"

quickly hooked her hand over

"Wait up!"

putting the certificate on top of the

why are you leaving so early? I heard that

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

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

it is a great chance to make great

them. I have

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

large car waiting outside and she started walking toward it

"Welcome young miss."

building, a man dressed in black stepped out of the vehicle and opened the door for her. Melissa glanced at him briefly before entering

Clank—!

for me, young

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

Melissa nudged her with

in, I don't have more time

"O..okay."

putting the papers beside her, Rosie put on her

Knock. Knock.

the car. Within a few seconds, the car had disappeared into

minutes were spent in uncomfortable silence as Melissa stared at the

turn, one of the papers

the certificate

[NGS National Award Certificate]

clench of her teeth, Melissa crumbled the paper in

'Useless.'

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

miss, I don't think you

picked up

out there that would be very envious of your

have it

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

like anyone else cares

life, but to Melissa, it was just

and one that nobody else she knew

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

was ruled by strength. In her family, science and technology were

Melissa would've

it wasn't as though

it's a

paper,

a scientist, doesn't mean that there are

"Shut up."

hair behind her ear, Melissa glared at

about them. You will only end up souring my already

a good couple of seconds before she nodded

"As you wish."

in silence following her words,

Riiing—! Riiing—!

was the sound of Melissa's phone ringing. Furrowing her brows, Melissa took out her phone and looked at

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

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

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

persistent as a

"Ugh."