Two hours later, when David finally managed to break free from Toriel Star's gravity well with his physical body and entered low orbit, he couldn't help but look back, gazing in heartfelt admiration at the slowly shrinking Ferren Continent below and the magnificent starry sea rising into view.
The beautiful fantasy he'd never lived to see on Mars in his past life had, unexpectedly, been realized at this moment, in such an alternative way.
In the present, where technology was extremely primitive and limited, this journey was destined to be one-way.
He couldn't help recalling his own strong youthful desire to explore the world beyond Dragon Island and the knowledge he craved, along with the embarrassing scenes of being forcibly brought back by Silver Dragon guards after several attempts to leave Dragon Island.
But when exactly had his mind become filled with nothing but the pursuit of money?
And for how long had he, in the seemingly invincible position of an Alchemy Grandmaster, remained stagnant?
Perhaps it was from the moment he successfully developed the Clarity Potion.
Though he hadn't rushed to bask in the world's flowers and applause, he still considered that his achievements at that age had brought him to the level of those long-famed masters. Coupled with the crushing spiritual pressure from Pafila's peak-like, nearly insurmountable achievements, he felt a sense of despondency, believing he could never surpass her no matter what, and only hoped to earn more money for a different kind of recognition from Pafila.
Until... Pafila became a deity.
The difference between mortals and deities caused him to fall into complete confusion.
It was David's invitation from hell that finally allowed him to find some of his 'value'.
He knew David had no other implications, just assuming he enjoyed the feeling of seizing wealth.
It wasn't until before departing for Toriel that he received that reminder from the Chromatic Dragon Queen:
"If you harbor hope for a Legendary Destiny or even the path of ascending to godhood, do not waste too much time chasing after money, for restraining boundless desires and detesting mediocrity are essential qualities for reaching one's Legendary Destiny."
This statement, like a heavy hammer, struck his soul and lingered for a long time.
Only he himself knew that he wasn't obsessed with pursuing money, nor did he have too many desires. He also detested his own mediocrity.
He was just... somewhat lost, struggling to find his own direction.
It was not until this moment, when he saw his own child heading towards the sea of stars alone to complete the task given by the Dragon Queen—to break the shackles of The Slaying King Star that hung around the neck of every dragon—and felt his own powerlessness to help in the slightest, that he finally came to a realization.
Perhaps the path had always been right beneath his feet. He had simply been lost in his own heart's confusion. All he needed to do was to stoop down, reclaim his original aspirations, and his curiosity for the unknown and for knowledge. For an Arcanist, or an alchemist like himself, endless learning was the unfailing path to true strength. And that slightly superior intellect, a cut above other dragons, seemed to be the only real advantage he, Attilicia, could claim.
In that moment, Attilicia felt as if he'd finally seen his destiny on the image of the stars his son had 'photographed' from low orbit.
His Legendary Destiny.
"Daddy... what's wrong? Didn't brother say that he's just taking a nap? When we all return to Elariya, both my brother and I will be young dragons." Compared to the sentimental dragon father Attilicia, his dragon sister Tania was much more innocent and optimistic.
Like many young dragons, she always dreamed of growing up quickly.
Hearing Tania's words, Attilicia suddenly realized that, at some unknown point, tears had begun to stream down his face.
He touched Tania's little head and said with a smile,
"Yes, after a sleep, you all will have grown up."
If his parents knew it had only taken a few years to raise these two dragon children, who had practically grown up all by themselves, he wondered if they'd kick him right out when he returned to Dragon Island!
Amused by this rather sheepish thought, Attilicia immediately took out paper and pen to write quickly, then handed it to Tania, saying,
"So, Miss Tania, who is about to grow up, could you do a favor for Daddy?"