Mingma stood in the courtyard, his mind spinning with the weight of the information he'd just been given. Curses, laws, deviations, and the promise of unimaginable power—the path ahead seemed endless. But one question gnawed at the back of his mind, unanswered and restless.
"How do you know all of this?" Mingma's voice trembled slightly as he looked at his brother and sister, trying to make sense of it all. "How do you know about the curse, about these laws, about deviations? How do you know what's happened to me?"
His sister exchanged a look with his brother, both of them silently considering how to answer. There was something more here, something deeper than the surface knowledge they had shared. Something that felt… personal.
His brother stepped forward, his gaze intense but calm. "You have to understand, Mingma, this world is not as simple as it seems. Many here carry burdens far greater than you can imagine. Some curses don't just bind the body—they can twist the mind, the very essence of who someone is."
His sister nodded gravely. "There are curses, rare and terrifying, that carry the power of memory deviation. It's a curse that can change how a person perceives their own life, so much so that they forget their original existence altogether. They experience an alternate life, one that feels just as real as the one they once lived, until eventually, they believe that alternate life is the truth. The past becomes a shadow, and their true self is lost."
Mingma's blood ran cold as the words sank in. "Memory deviation… So, you're saying that someone could forget who they really are? That they could live an entirely different life, a life they think is their own?"
His brother nodded. "Yes. It's a rare curse, but it's not unheard of here. Some people live their whole lives under the illusion of an alternate existence. They forget their true past, their true identity, and they become strangers to themselves."
His sister spoke next, her tone heavy with both sadness and understanding. "That's how we know about it, Mingma. Our family has encountered such curses before. Some have been fortunate enough to break free from the illusion, but many have not. The danger of such a curse is not just in losing your memories, but in the devastation it causes to the soul, the mind, and ultimately, the person."
Mingma stood still, his body feeling as though it had been frozen in place. He had experienced flashes, fragments of memories that felt distant, almost like someone else's. Faces, places, moments—he couldn't quite grasp them, and yet they lingered, haunting him. Had the curse already started to affect his mind in such a way?
"But how do you know so much about it?" Mingma asked, his voice strained. "How did you learn all of this? Are you telling me that you've seen it happen to others?"
His brother gave a small, grim smile. "In this world, we learn through experience. Curses like this, the kind that distort memories and lives, are not too rare. And not all of them are as destructive as yours. Some are far worse, some more subtle, but they all leave a mark. We have studied them for years."
His sister stepped closer, her gaze softening. "We've been to places where these curses are common, Mingma. And we've seen people lose themselves to these deviations. That's why we know. That's why we can help you."
Mingma's eyes narrowed. "Help me? But… how?"
His brother spoke again, his voice more serious now. "We were given a chance, Mingma. A chance because of our father's sacrifice. You see, our family comes from a line of powerful individuals—men and women who walked the line between life and death, who understood the laws and their consequences. Our father made a sacrifice, a great one, to ensure we could pursue knowledge beyond the reach of ordinary people."
His sister continued, her voice filled with pride and sorrow. "Because of his sacrifice, we were granted entry into the Royal Military Academy. It's a place where the strongest and most gifted are trained—those who can grasp the laws and the curses that bind this world. It's there that we learned about these things, and it's there where we will help you understand what's happening to you."
Mingma blinked, trying to process everything. The Royal Military Academy? The name sent a shiver down his spine. It was one of the most prestigious institutions in the continent, known for producing the greatest warriors, scholars, and practitioners of magic. To be admitted there was considered an honor—a rare privilege granted only to those with immense potential.
"Wait, you mean… I'm going to have to attend this academy?" Mingma's voice caught in his throat. "I don't understand. Why me?"
His sister smiled faintly. "Because, Mingma, the experience you're going through is not as rare as you might think. People with curses like yours—those who carry the marks of deviation—are often drawn to places like the Royal Military Academy. It's not uncommon for people like you to emerge from situations like yours. You're not alone in this. There are others there, other students, who have gone through similar experiences."
His brother nodded. "Yes. Some may have faced memory deviations. Some may have borne the burden of a curse similar to yours. And while they don't have the answers, the academy is where knowledge of such things is stored, where it's taught. It's where you will learn to control the power within you."
Mingma looked at them both, still unsure of how he felt. The idea of going to the academy was both thrilling and terrifying. The power within him was growing stronger with each passing day, and the curse—whatever it truly was—felt like it was always just beneath the surface, waiting to overwhelm him. He needed to understand it. He needed to know how to control it.
"So… I'm going to the academy," Mingma said slowly, as though testing the words. "But what happens if I can't control this curse? What if the memory deviation starts to take over me? What if I forget everything?"
His sister's expression softened, and she placed a hand on his arm. "We will be there to help you, Mingma. We won't let you fall into the same trap that others have. We'll make sure you understand the laws, the curses, and how to control them. But you have to take that first step. You have to face this power and learn how to wield it."
His brother's eyes grew intense. "The academy isn't just about learning spells and techniques. It's about understanding the very fabric of this world, and how the laws govern everything. There, you will learn not just how to control your curse, but how to bend the laws to your will."
Mingma felt a surge of determination rise within him. The unknown path ahead was terrifying, yes, but he had no choice but to walk it. The curse was a part of him now, and if he was to survive, if he was to take control of his fate, he had to learn everything he could.
"Alright," Mingma said, his voice steadying. "I'll go. I'll learn. I'll control this curse."
His brother and sister both nodded approvingly, their eyes filled with pride and relief.
"You're not alone, Mingma," his sister said. "And remember, even if you forget everything, even if you lose yourself to the curse… we'll help you find your way back."
With those words, Mingma knew his journey was just beginning. The academy awaited, and with it, the knowledge that could change his fate forever. But as he turned toward the horizon, the weight of his curse still lingered—an ever-present reminder that the path ahead would not be an easy one.