I waited, my heart pounding crazily in my chest. The intruder’s footsteps drew closer. With my mana reserves depleted, I didn’t know what to do. I was at the mercy of any mage or warrior passing by. The footsteps stopped just outside my room. Gritting my teeth, I fumbled for a solution. My eyes landed on the bedside table where I had left an illusion artifact. Trembling, I grabbed it. If the intruder’s unskilled or careless, this might work.

Knock. Knock.

Assassins didn’t knock and friends wouldn't arrive without warning. I clenched the illusion artifact tightly in my hand, holding my breath, prepared for the worst.

“Dad?”

It was Sherry. My chest tightened, hot tears welling at the corners of my eyes.

“Sherry... Sherry…” I said, trying to banish the vision of her cold body overlapping with her current self.

She rushed to my side. “Dad! What happened to you? You look terrible!”

I couldn’t answer right away, my throat constricted by boundless joy and relief. Against all odds, I had made it back. She was here—alive.

“I…” My voice faltered. “You’re safe… you’re here.”

“Of course, I’m,” she said gently, her brow furrowed in concern. “You’ve been acting strange, what’s going on? You look like you’ve been through hell.”

I managed a weak smile. “It’s… a long story.”

She frowned, a wrinkle appearing between her eyebrows. "You aren't pretending to be unwell to avoid going back to the academy right?"

“No, Sherry,” I whispered hoarsely, wincing at her suggestion. “I swear. I’m not faking anything.”

I hesitated before pleading, “Can… can I just hold you for a moment? I’ve missed you so much…”

Her frown deepened as her eyes swept over my battered body. “Alright, but why do you look like this? What are you not telling me, Dad?”

Oups. I shouldn't bring her into this mess. It was too dangerous.

Think Aldric, think. What can you say to make the situation look trivial.

“Sherry, it’s nothing I just had a very bad nightmare.” I began, "In my dream you died. Please, Sherry. Let me hold you for a moment, I need to make sure you are real.”

She looked at me skeptically. "You expect me to believe you're in this state over a mere nightmare? You, the Archmage?"

Damn it. She was as perceptive as ever and would never fall for an easy lie.

"Yes, Sherry," I murmured, dragging out the words to buy myself a moment to think. "I missed you and your mom so much..." My voice cracked. "You know her death anniversary is coming up soon. I guess it all just... caught up with me."

Her expression softened, and sadness filled her eyes. "I’m sorry, Dad. I didn’t realize it still affected you so much. I miss her as well at that time of the year," she said gently, opening her arms. "Come here. Let me hug you for a while."

I leaned into her embrace, feeling her warmth dispel the residual chill in my body. Tears fell freely now. She was alive—against everything I had feared, she was alive. The knot in my chest easing for the first time in days.

I cherished every moment spent in her embrace. I hoped this moment would never end. The minutes stretched in silence. When she pulled back, I let go reluctantly.

“Thank you, Sherry. I really needed that,” I said earnestly, wiping the tears off my face.

She offered me a soft smile. “You are welcome, Dad. But do you want me to bring a healer? You look terrible.”

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"No. It's alright. I am fine." I replied, shaking my head lightly.

Sherry frowned doubtfully, motioning at my pale, sweat-soaked face and dried up tears. "You sure? You look as pale as a ghost right now”

I managed a small reassuring smile. "I am sure Sherry. I promise. Sorry for worrying you."

"Alright, alright, I’ll stop meddling," she said, raising her hands in a I give up gesture. "I was going to ask you to come back to the academy, but I can’t ask that of a patient. Take care of yourself. I’ll come back tomorrow to see how you’re doing."

“Sherry,” I called as she reached the door. She turned, her hand on the frame. “About the academy… I’ve been thinking. I could come back. Teach again. Maybe even help you directly.”

Her brows lifted in surprise, then she smiled, bright and genuine. “Really? I’d love that, Dad. But recuperate first okay?”

“I will. I am really sorry about, well... you know — letting you run the academy on your own. I realized I should have done more."

"Dad.... Are you sure you are alright? I mean, I am happy you want to help, but what made you change your mind so suddenly?" she asked with creased brows. "You have been pretty adamant about making another breakthrough in your researches for the past twenty years."

I hesitated, feeling her gaze boring into me. How could I explain the guilt that had eaten at me after her death, or the stark realization that no magical breakthrough would ever be as important as her and our time together. Her death was like an electroshock. From now on, she along with the academy came first, my researches be damned.

I let out a soft sigh, deciding she deserved the truth, or at least as much as I could manage without worrying her too much.

“Sherry, I’ve spent so many years stuck up in my room to do my researches and drown my sorrow." My voice faltered, and I swallowed hard. “Losing your mother, seeing you die in that nightmare made me see how fragile life really is.” I paused, taking a deep breath. "This won't bring back all the time I wasted, but from now on I want to be there for you."

Sherry stood quietly, taking it all in. "Well you should make more nightmares from now one. If they can set you priorities right," she said cheekily.

I chuckled. That was my daughter for you. She really knew how to make me laugh.

“Yeah, maybe I should,” I muttered with a wry smile. “But really, Sherry, what I'm saying is true, from now on, you and the academy are my priority,” I added, my tone more earnest this time.

“That sounds great, Dad,” she said, with a hint of skepticism, probably worried I might fall back into my old habits.

“This—this might sound like a big, dramatic shift, but I finally realized how blind I have been to what truly matters, Sherry, and I’ve wasted enough time.”

“Well, if you're sure about this...” She smiled, her usual sarcastic edge coming back, “Then let’s hope the next nightmare isn’t too eye-opening.”

“I can't promise anything, Sherry. Maybe my next nightmare will be about you getting married and have kids.” I answered playfully.

“Dad!” she gasped, as a blush crept up her neck.

“Imagine the horror!” I continued, feigning exaggerated dread. “Kids running around, taking all your time. That would be the ultimate nightmare!”

Her eyes narrowed playfully. “Don’t get any ideas, old man,” she warned. “I'm too busy to be thinking about kids.”

“Oh, I know, I know," I said with a wry smile, "But honestly, I think it's a good investment for my future happiness."

“Dad, really?” she groaned, rolling her eyes. “Are you seriously trying to pressure me into having kids?”

I chuckled. “I’m just thinking ahead. If you don’t start having them soon, I might have to rely on your cousin to get me some cute little grandkids."

“Yeah, good luck with that,” Sherry muttered, but I could see the corners of her lips twitching in amusement.

“All jokes aside, Sherry, I want to be here for you. Not just on the sidelines, buried in work like I’ve done before. I missed too much already."

“Okay, I get it,” she said. “And... honestly, it’s kind of nice to see you thinking this way. But you do have a lot to catch up on first. I’ll make sure you're not slipping back into your old patterns.”

“Deal,” I said, nodding. “And no pressure on the grandkids... just know that I’m looking forward to them in the future.”

Her smile grew warmer. “Well, as long as you're ready to walk me down the aisle in... let's say, about five years, then we’ll talk.”

I laughed. "I'll be ready, Sherry. As long as you promise there'll be plenty of grandkids running around by then."

"You're impossible, but alright... maybe," she said with a soft smile. "With you helping out, I might have more time to myself, old man."

Was it a reproach? Well obviously it was. I earned it. I should have been here to help her out with the academy instead of escaping to do my researches.

“If you’re really serious about helping me out, then you might have to deal with a whole lot of academy politics.” She said with a cheeky smile.

“Politics? Politics were never my strong suit, Sherry." I said, raising both hands in mock surrender. “But if you need a hand, I’m happy to help with recruiting some qualified staff, I have a large network.”

"I will take you on your offer, Dad," she began, "but for now focus on getting better, we will talk more when you are back on your feet."

"It's alright Sherry, I will be back in top shape tomorrow." I said with a smile.

She frowned. "Don't push yourself, your health comes first. I can wait a few more days."

"That won't be necessary, talking to you made me feel much better." I answered with a genuine smile.

"Okay, I will be waiting for you." she said warmly, walking to the door. "Goodbye, see you tomorrow."

"Bye, Sherry." I said, waving my hand until she closed the door behind her.