All out!

Leon listened intently, the skull's explanations helping him understand the stakes of each option. As he pondered, a memory of his parents' advice surfaced, echoing in his thoughts: Aim to improve at the fastest speed; it gives you more time to face difficult times in life without the regret of not trying your best. This piece of wisdom tipped the scales for him, nudging him towards taking a calculated risk to grow stronger more quickly.

Determined, Leon then asked, "How many available wisps are there right now, and how long does it take to produce one?"

The skull paused, its form shimmering as if scanning the ethereal plane. After a moment, it replied, "Currently, there is only one wisp available in this garden."

"And when will the next one be produced?" Leon asked, trying to gauge how much he could venture in his first attempt.

The skull's reply was as uncertain as the nature of the Graveyard Garden itself. "It could be the next second, or it could be next year. The production of wisps is not bound by any predictable schedule—it varies greatly."

This uncertainty made Leon's decision all the more critical. He knew that with only one wisp available, he had to make his choice count. His parents' words resonated with him, pushing him toward making a bold move, one that would set him on a path of rapid growth and, potentially, greater challenges.

Taking a deep breath, feeling the weight of his decision, Leon prepared to make his choice, his resolve hardened by the thought of securing a stronger, safer future for himself and Mei. The risk was significant, but so were the stakes of their daily survival.

As Leon pondered the skull's revelation about the unpredictable timing of wisp production, a wave of fear washed over him. The thought of potentially waiting a year for another opportunity was daunting. He felt the weight of urgency press upon him, not driven by a desire for power for its own sake, but by a deeper, more primal fear of being unable to protect Mei should danger arise.

Standing in the surreal landscape of the Graveyard Garden, Leon's decision crystallized in a moment of intense clarity. He would use all the souls he had, a decision not made out of ambition but spurred by the protective love for his sister. "I'll use them all," Leon declared with a shaky but determined voice, his young face set with resolve.

The skull, hovering silently beside him, responded with a surprising intensity. "A wise choice, Leon. While the risks are greater, the potential benefits align well with your needs." It paused, its hollow eyes seeming to peer into the beyond. "Just moments ago, I received a ripple of insight. Achieving a certain level of strength before reaching specific ages can unlock significant potentials. The details are unclear, but it is imperative for your growth."

Leon absorbed the skull's words, feeling a mix of apprehension and anticipation. The idea that there was a time-sensitive aspect to his powers added another layer of complexity to his decision. But more than anything, it reinforced his resolve to take the necessary risks to grow stronger, faster.

"Thank you," Leon said, his voice barely above a whisper as he turned his attention back to the flickering wisp. The tiny, glowing entity seemed all the more precious now, carrying not just the weight of his immediate decision but potentially the key to his future capabilities.

As he reached out towards the wisp, his hand trembling slightly, he thought of Mei. He imagined her smiling face, her gentle encouragement, and her unwavering belief in him. These thoughts steeled his nerves, and he felt a surge of protective love bolster his courage.

"I'm doing this for us, Mei," he murmured to himself, though the words were lost in the vast expanse of the Graveyard Garden.

The skull, observing Leon's resolve, felt a surge of purpose itself. It had been created to assist Leon, and now it found itself deeply invested in the success of this young, brave soul. "When you're ready," it prompted, indicating the wisp with a subtle nod.

Leon nodded back, his decision made, his heart full of love for his sister and a fierce desire to be the protector she deserved. As he prepared to merge the souls with the wisp, his thoughts were clear, his resolve unshakeable. He was ready to face whatever this choice brought forth, for Mei, for their future, and for the hidden potential that awaited him in the mystical realm of the Graveyard Garden.

With a solemn nod, the skull began to instruct Leon on how to transfer the souls into the wisp, initiating a process filled with ancient rites and mystical energies. "Focus your thoughts on the wisp, Leon," the skull directed in a calm, echoing voice. "Visualize the souls as threads of light, flowing from the core of your being and into the heart of the wisp."

Leon closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. In his mind's eye, he pictured the tiny insects he had consumed, each carrying a small, glowing essence. He imagined these essences as shimmering threads, each one pulsing with a soft light. With a gentle mental push, he guided these threads out from within himself, feeling a tingling sensation as they traveled through his arms and fingertips, extending towards the wisp that hovered patiently before him.

The air around them seemed to thicken with magical potential as the threads of light met the wisp. The wisp absorbed each thread, its glow intensifying with every soul it consumed. Leon watched, his eyes wide with awe, as the transformation occurred. The process was both beautiful and eerie, a dance of life and death energies intertwining.

After a moment that felt both instantaneous and eternal, the wisp began to morph. It solidified, taking on a more tangible form. Slowly, it shaped itself into a semi-solid seed that resembled a small, dark beetle. The seed was simple yet elegant, its surface smooth and glossy, giving off a faint, otherworldly shimmer.

Leon reached out tentatively to touch the seed, half-expecting it to dissolve under his fingers. To his surprise, it was firm and cool, with a texture that reminded him of polished stone. The design was indeed simple, lacking intricate markings or luminous qualities that might suggest a rare or powerful origin.

The skull observed Leon's examination of the seed and nodded approvingly. "The design of the seed often tells us about the nature of the plant it will grow into," it explained. "A simple design, such as this one, usually indicates a common and low-level plant. It's a good starting point for your journey into gardening here, allowing you to learn and grow without facing overwhelming challenges right away."

Leon nodded, understanding the wisdom in starting with something manageable. He felt a mix of relief and excitement—a common plant meant fewer dangers, but it was still a step into the unknown, a real application of the mystical teachings the skull had imparted.

"This is just the beginning, Leon," the skull continued, its tone imbued with a mix of seriousness and encouragement. "As you gain experience and strength, you'll be able to cultivate more complex and powerful plants. Each one will bring different challenges and rewards, shaping you into a true Graveyard Gardener."

Leon, holding the beetle-like seed in his palm, felt a profound connection to the strange, magical world he had just tapped into. He was ready to plant his first seed in the Graveyard Garden, eager to see what lessons and mysteries it would unfold.

Guided by the skull, Leon learned how to plant the beetle-like seed in the Graveyard Garden. The process was reassuringly familiar, reminiscent of his planting tasks back in the village. The skull instructed him to make a small indentation in the ethereal soil of the garden, gently place the seed within it, and then cover it with a layer of the dark, rich earth that made up this mystical plane.