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.

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

'How useless...'

a bright smile, Melissa hugged the certificate to her chest

the audience who stood up from

minutes, before it was finally time for Melissa to finally

her head one more time and thanked the President

'Finally...'

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!"

balance, Rosie quickly hooked her hand over

"Wait up!"

top of the

are you leaving so early? I

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

want to participate in a party filled with perverted old men that

is a great chance to make

need them. I

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

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

"Welcome young miss."

out of the vehicle and opened the door for her. Melissa glanced at him

Clank—!

for me,

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

Melissa nudged

I don't have more time

"O..okay."

papers beside her, Rosie put on

Knock. Knock.

driver to start the car.

minutes were spent in uncomfortable silence as Melissa

the midst of the silence, on a sharp turn, one of the

was the certificate of today's

[NGS National Award Certificate]

clench of her teeth, Melissa crumbled the paper in her hand

'Useless.'

reward. Rather than feeling any

you

her body, Rosie carefully picked

are many people out there that

can have it

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

like anyone else

accomplishments in their life, but to

and one that nobody

one in her family knew she had won the

family, science and technology were

Melissa would've probably already been

though her own parents liked

don't think it's a

Finally unwrinkling the whole paper, she carefully placed it on

your family doesn't accept the fact that you are a scientist, doesn't mean that there are people out there that don't

"Shut up."

Melissa glared at Rosie

will only end up souring

Melissa for a good couple of seconds before she

"As you wish."

following her words, a tense

Riiing—! Riiing—!

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

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

face twisted as she stared at the user ID. This was probably the last person that she wanted

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

persistent as

"Ugh."