Carlin's bedroom was simply furnished.
She lay prone on the bed, her voice trembling slightly.
"I'm a little scared... can you be gentle when you start with the needles?"
Veil shook his head.
"No. I have to use force. Only with enough pressure—and enough pain—can it be effective."
"Don't worry," he added lightly, "the pain's only intense at the beginning. After a while, you'll get used to it."
"Hsss... it hurts. It really hurts," Carlin gasped, lifting her delicate chin and letting out a cry of pain.
Standing nearby, the proprietress couldn't bear to watch.
"Carlin's scared of pain," she said, heart aching. "Maybe... maybe don't press so hard?"
Veil's hand steadily moved, inch by inch, massaging up from Carlin's slim calf. From time to time, he inserted a slender silver needle into precise spots.
Every time a needle was placed, every time his hand moved upward, Carlin would draw in a sharp breath. Beads of fine sweat appeared on her smooth, porcelain forehead.
Listening to their conversation, Lyra felt a strange sense of awkwardness rise in her chest. But in the end, she said nothing, only offering a few soft words of comfort:
"At least she can feel the pain now... Mr. Veil, I never imagined you were capable of something like this."
In her heart, Lyra couldn't help but sigh.
If she hadn't been followed tonight... if she hadn't called out for help... she and Veil never would have crossed paths.
Was this... fate?
More than half an hour passed.
Exhausted, Veil collapsed onto the bed, his face pressing into the blanket. He turned his head to look at Carlin, who had also turned away shyly.
"So, how does it feel?" he asked.
"It's... a little tingly. Kind of numb. It's strange," Carlin murmured, still unsure about the sensations coming from her legs.
"Sorry about your bed," Veil said, dragging himself upright and wiping the sweat from his forehead. He gave a sheepish smile.
"I think I made it a little damp."
Carlin, still lying on her stomach, shook her head lightly.
"Thank you," she said, her voice soft. "It hurt a lot... but I can feel something now. I really can."
For twenty long years, her family had taken her to countless hospitals, seen all kinds of doctors—
Yet no one had been able to cure her. No one had even been able to tell them what exactly was wrong.
But tonight, after Veil's treatment, hope had blossomed in her heart—real hope.
Her legs could feel pain.
Maybe... just maybe... she could become a normal girl again.
The proprietress rushed forward, unable to hide her excitement.
"Little Miracle Doctor, can Carlin... can she walk now?"
Lyra was also staring at Veil, her face full of hope.
Veil gave a small, bitter laugh and waved his hand.
"It's not that simple. She's been paralyzed for twenty years. Even if treatment works, it won't happen overnight. It'll take time, patience, and careful rehabilitation."
"I can help by giving her regular massages to regulate her body," he continued, "and I'll also reach out to some top experts in Luxhaven City. I'll talk to them about scheduling a surgery."
With the advanced medical skills granted by his system, Veil could, if he wanted, help Carlin stand up temporarily after just a few sessions.
But if she was to walk properly, long-term, without risk of relapse, he needed the help of the very best specialists in the field.
What he said wasn't just to buy more time around Carlin—it was the truth.
He wasn't complicating things for the sake of closeness, nor was he trying to deliberately drag out the process to make Carlin and her mother feel indebted to him.
"Little Miracle Doctor! Thank you... thank you so much!"
The proprietress gripped Veil's hand tightly, her voice breaking with emotion.
She wanted to say something about how they would repay him—but seeing Veil's handsome face, and knowing the caliber of his skills and connections, she had no idea what they could possibly offer that would be worthy.
Just inviting a top-tier expert in Luxhaven City alone...
That was something even wealthy families could barely manage.
The consultation spots were booked out months in advance. Without Veil's guarantee, Carlin might never have had the chance to meet such doctors in her lifetime.
The proprietress was so moved, she nearly fell to her knees.
Lyra quickly reached out and stopped her, helping her stand straight again.
Veil, too, hurried to help her up, smiling warmly.
"Auntie, there's no need to be so emotional. I'm happy to help where I can."
He chuckled, then added teasingly,
"Honestly, I was staring at your daughter's legs for a long time earlier—not because I noticed anything wrong, but because they're just too perfect. Your daughter almost thought I was some kind of creep."
At the mention of their earlier misunderstanding, Carlin buried her face in her pillow, her ears turning red.
Had Veil really seen through her that easily?
Was she too obvious?
Or... was Veil just too sharp?
"We'll stop here for tonight," Veil said, standing up and stretching.
"Give yourself some time to adjust. I'll come back when I can."
He could have offered more comforting words, could have given them a specific time to reassure them—
But he deliberately kept it vague.
He wanted Carlin to be left wondering, thinking of him.
He knew he wasn't about to make her fall for him overnight, but getting her to constantly have him on her mind was already a big win.
Later, Veil and Lyra went downstairs. They ate two bowls of beef noodles, chatted a little longer, exchanged contact information, and then each went their separate ways.
.....
The next morning.
Alice lay nestled in Veil's arms, rubbing her sleepy eyes. Still half-dazed, she puckered her lips and planted a soft kiss on his cheek.
"Sleep a little longer," Veil said, his voice filled with tenderness as he gently stroked her head. "You got back so late last night, and now you're heading to the orphanage again?"
Alice gave a soft hum in response, snuggling closer to his shoulder and nuzzling his cheek with her hair.
She didn't know why—she just loved being close to him like this. Every time, it made her heart feel warm and sweet.
"Now that the orphanage has a better environment and the director has more energy to focus on the kids' education, I can help out a little. I'm not that smart, but teaching children... that much I can do," Alice murmured softly.
Veil gave her a mildly exasperated look. "The school isn't even fully built yet, but I could still hire a few teachers in advance. You don't have to run yourself ragged every day—it's making me feel guilty just watching you."
"I actually enjoy being a teacher," Alice whispered shyly, pressing her hand lightly against his chest. "Besides, you don't let me do much housework at home anyway. I'd just be sitting around otherwise."
Veil lightly tapped her forehead with his finger. "You just can't sit still for even a day, can you? Even if you're helping out, you need to give yourself time to rest. Do you ever stop to think how it feels for me, seeing you tire yourself out like this?"
"Master..."
Alice's beautiful eyes shimmered with emotion, a gentle warmth blossoming inside her heart.
"Still, if you like it that much, fine. Originally, I planned to hire teachers for the orphanage, but if you want to teach, consider yourself officially hired." Veil paused for a moment, then added, "I should give you a salary, at least. It wouldn't be right otherwise."
"No, no salary!" Alice cried out in alarm, clinging tightly to his neck. "I already owe you so much money, Master. Teaching is something I want to do. I don't want a single coin for it."
"I probably won't be able to repay everything I owe you even in this lifetime... so I'll just come back in my next life, and the life after that, and serve you again and again until I do."
She was just a simple, pure girl—someone who feared losing what she cherished and knew better than anyone how to hold it close.
In the past, Alice didn't know how to express herself.
Now, she had learned how to repay her debts... with interest.
Without hesitation, she furrowed her brows slightly and kissed him once more.
There was nothing to be shy about anymore. After all, she already belonged to him.
Several hours of passion and entanglement later...
"What the hell am I even doing after reincarnating?"
"Why does everything revolve around women now?"
"Is this really supposed to be my new life? This can't be right!"
"This is way too decadent!"
Veil lay sprawled out on the bed, his eyes blank and unfocused, his mind swimming in a daze.
One minute passed.
Then two.
Then three...
Slowly, clarity returned to him, and his thoughts began to straighten out.
You know what?
This kind of life... wasn't bad at all.
What was there to complain about, really?
Looking down at the girl beside him, everything suddenly made sense.
Oh.
So that's what it was.
He was just deep in the throes of post-nut clarity.
At that moment, the familiar system notification echoed in his mind.
Ding! Congratulations to the Host for earning Villain Points +1000 × 3!