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

'How useless...'

hugged the certificate to her chest and

by the loud clapping sounds of the

persisted for ten minutes, before it was finally time for Melissa

and thanked the President of

'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!"

her balance, Rosie quickly hooked her hand over the papers and supported the bottom

"Wait up!"

putting the certificate on top of the stack of papers, Rosie followed her

you leaving so early? I heard that there

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

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

is a great chance

them. I have

corner, Melissa entered the venue's lobby. As Melissa gazed around, her eyes soon

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

"Welcome young miss."

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

Clank—!

for me, young

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

glancing at her, Melissa nudged her with her

have more time

"O..okay."

papers beside her, Rosie put on

Knock. Knock.

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

minutes were spent in uncomfortable silence as Melissa stared at the ever-changing scenery outside of the

the midst of the silence, on a sharp turn,

certificate

[NGS National Award Certificate]

crumbled the paper in

'Useless.'

all she thought as she stared at the reward. Rather than feeling any sense of accomplishment from

think you should

her body, Rosie carefully picked

people out there that would be very envious of your

can have it

scenery outside. A low whisper escaped her lips as her

like anyone else

achievements would've been their greatest accomplishments in their life, but to Melissa, it was just like any other reward

of many, and one that nobody else she

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

family, science and technology were considered nothing

it not been for her father's influence, Melissa would've probably already been thrown

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

think it's a waste of

voice echoed inside the car. Finally unwrinkling the whole paper, she carefully placed

because your family doesn't accept 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

only end up souring my

for a good

"As you wish."

in silence following her words, a tense atmosphere permeated the

Riiing—! Riiing—!

Furrowing her brows, Melissa took

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

herself from swearing, Melissa's face twisted as she stared at the user ID.

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

persistent

"Ugh."