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.

is with great pleasure 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 the National Group

'How useless...'

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

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

it was finally

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

'Finally...'

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

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

Melissa moodily stormed off the

"Wahh!"

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

"Wait up!"

of the stack of papers, Rosie followed

I heard that there is an

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

a party filled with

is a great

don't need them. I

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

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

"Welcome young miss."

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

Clank—!

for me,

She looked rather tired as she still held onto the large

her, Melissa nudged her with her

in, I don't have more

"O..okay."

beside her,

Knock. Knock.

door signaled the driver to start the car. Within a

uncomfortable silence as Melissa stared at the ever-changing scenery outside of the

turn, one of the papers fell down toward

was the certificate of today's

[NGS National Award Certificate]

teeth, Melissa crumbled the paper in her hand before

'Useless.'

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

don't think you should throw away

Rosie carefully picked up the certificate and

many people out there that would be very envious of your

can have it for all I

stare at the ever-changing scenery outside. A low whisper escaped her

like anyone

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

that nobody else

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

by strength. In her family, science and technology

father's influence, Melissa would've

wasn't as though her own parents

don't think it's a waste

whole paper, she carefully placed it on top of

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

"Shut up."

glared at Rosie from

them. You will only end up

Melissa for a good couple of seconds before she nodded

"As you wish."

two sat in silence following her words,

Riiing—! Riiing—!

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

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

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 at the

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

was as persistent as a

"Ugh."