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.

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 of Science,

'How useless...'

the certificate to her

the audience who stood

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

and thanked the President of the

'Finally...'

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

"Congratulation—"

"Take it."

Rosie, Melissa

"Wahh!"

hand over the papers and supported the bottom with

"Wait up!"

top of the stack of papers, Rosie followed her from

are you leaving so early? I heard that there is an

"Not interested."

Melissa snapply replied.

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

great

don't need them. I

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

sight of the large car waiting

"Welcome young miss."

opened the door for her. Melissa glanced

Clank—!

for me, young

was Rosie. She looked rather tired as she still held onto the large stacks of

glancing at her, Melissa

have

"O..okay."

the papers beside her, Rosie

Knock. Knock.

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

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

on a sharp turn, one of the papers

the certificate of today's

[NGS National Award Certificate]

teeth, Melissa crumbled the paper in her hand before throwing it

'Useless.'

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

you should

body, Rosie carefully picked up the certificate and unwrinkled

out there that would be very envious of

have it

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

like anyone

accomplishments in their life,

one that nobody else

to say that no one in her family knew she had won the award, and even if they did, they would most likely not even

ruled by strength. In her family, science and technology were considered nothing

Melissa would've probably already been thrown out of her

wasn't as though

it's a waste of

the car. Finally unwrinkling the whole paper, she carefully placed it

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

"Shut up."

ear, Melissa glared at Rosie from the corner of her

You will only end up souring my already bad

at Melissa for a good couple of

"As you wish."

sat in silence following her words, a

Riiing—! Riiing—!

her brows, Melissa took out

[Ren Dover.]

"Oh fuck."

stared at the user ID. This was probably the last person that she

Ren would only lead to

was as persistent as a

"Ugh."