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

'How useless...'

certificate to her

the audience who stood

it was finally time for

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

'Finally...'

vanished from her face. Waiting for her at the end of the stage was Rosie who immediately jumped at the opportunity to congratulate her. In her hands was a large stack

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

certificate to Rosie, Melissa moodily stormed off

"Wahh!"

balance, Rosie quickly hooked her hand over the

"Wait up!"

the stack of papers, Rosie

leaving so early? I heard

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

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

is a great chance to make great

them. I

As Melissa gazed around, her eyes soon landed on

her eyes caught sight of the large car waiting outside and she

"Welcome young miss."

and opened the door for her. Melissa glanced at

Clank—!

for me,

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

her, Melissa nudged her with

don't have more time to

"O..okay."

putting the papers beside her, Rosie put on her

Knock. Knock.

to start the

were spent in uncomfortable silence as

silence, on a sharp turn,

certificate of

[NGS National Award Certificate]

a clench of her teeth, Melissa crumbled the paper in

'Useless.'

stared at the reward. Rather than feeling any sense of accomplishment

miss, I don't think you should throw away

picked up the certificate and unwrinkled

out there that would be very envious of your

have it

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

like anyone else cares

in their life, but to Melissa, it was just like any other reward out

that nobody else she

she had won the award, and even if they did,

In her family, science and technology were considered nothing

been for her father's influence, Melissa would've

it wasn't as though her

think it's

whole paper, she carefully placed it on top of the

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

"Shut up."

glared

about them. You will only end

a good couple of seconds before

"As you wish."

silence following her words, a

Riiing—! Riiing—!

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

[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 to talk to at the

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

persistent as

"Ugh."