Chapter 31: Chapter 31: Doubt

“Are you Lu Xiao?”

After the military escort left, the Beastman sitting in the chair suddenly spoke, his tone respectful.

Lu Xiao, who was adjusting her equipment, looked up and smiled at him. “You’re already here, and you still don’t know who I am?”

“I just couldn’t be sure. You look very young. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean anything by it.”

“I understand. Are Kels and Kenwayt, oh, and Claude—are they all doing well?”

Lu Xiao reeled off the three names, a flicker of surprise in the man’s eyes. “You… you actually know their names? I don’t know Claude, he’s not in our sector, but I know Kels and Kenwayt. They’re the ones who came back and told us about you. They said we absolutely had to apply to come to your clinic, but some of the others didn’t believe them.”

“So you do trust them, then?”

“Of course. It’s not like things can get any worse. Better to try a long shot than just wait to die in the shelter. Besides, Officer Hans also encouraged us to trust you.”

“Officer Hans?” Lu Xiao raised an eyebrow. She recalled that the person Teacher Ai Li had contacted was named Hans. “What all did he say?”

“He said if we didn’t apply now, we’d regret it later when we couldn’t get in. That has to mean you’re the real deal, right?”

Lu Xiao chuckled. “What’s your name?”

“My name is Vilke. Before I came to the shelter, I worked in intelligence for the military. I can be a bit of a talker, so I hope you don’t mind.”

“No, on the contrary, I think it’s great. How has your sleep been lately? Do you have nightmares? And how has the medication been affecting you?”

“My condition is actually pretty stable. I can get to sleep, but I have nightmares. The medication helps a bit.”

Lu Xiao nodded gently. The system showed that Vilke’s condition was the mildest of anyone she had treated so far.

He’d been in the S-Class Shelter for one year and three months, and his condition had remained stable at the Early Stage, with almost no progression.

’This is probably related to Vilke’s personality and his former line of work,’ Lu Xiao thought. ’Intelligence officers usually have a higher tolerance for stress.’

“Alright, let’s start the treatment now. Close your eyes and relax.”

“Are you going to perform a Spiritual Soothing on me?” Vilke’s eyes widened in amazement as he looked at Lu Xiao.

“Didn’t Kels and the others tell you about this?”

“I didn’t think you’d do one for me. I know my condition is much milder than theirs. Plus, I’ve never had a Spiritual Soothing before. I’ve been saving up, hoping to experience it at least once while I’m still alive. But I never got the chance. I can’t believe you’re willing to do it for me.”

By the end, Vilke was even starting to choke up.

Lu Xiao gently touched his forehead. “Don’t overthink it. Relax. You need a good, long sleep.”

As she infused her purification power, she confirmed that Vilke’s Spirit Sea indeed had the least amount of Dark Matter of any patient she’d treated, with the exception of Ares.

Based on the S-Class Shelter’s admission criteria, if Vilke continued his treatment with her, it shouldn’t take long for him to be discharged.

As for whether he might relapse after being discharged, that was something Lu Xiao couldn’t be sure of yet.

After all, she still didn’t know where this Dark Matter came from.

Thirty minutes later, Lu Xiao stopped the treatment. She returned to her station to rest for a moment while she waited for Vilke to wake up.

This time, Vilke slept for a full thirty minutes.

It was becoming clear from her cases that the milder the symptoms, the longer the patient slept after treatment.

Vilke’s face was still dazed when he first woke up, but he quickly came to his senses. “I was asleep… Was I just asleep? Kels wasn’t lying after all! You really can put us into a deep sleep! This feels incredible!”

“Feels good?”

“Yes, I feel so light. Thank you, you’re incredible!”

“Then let’s make a deal. Between now and the next time we meet, I want you to think about the one thing you’d want to do most if you could leave the S-Class Shelter.”

“Leave? Is it even possible for me to leave?” Even with his relatively positive outlook, Vilke never dared to dream of leaving the S-Class Shelter once he was admitted.

Lu Xiao shrugged. “Who knows? There might be a chance. Think about it carefully and tell me next time. Your treatment is finished for today. See you next week.”

When Vilke left, he looked as happy as if he’d won the lottery.

He was so happy that the Beastman waiting outside grew extremely curious. He was about to speak, but the military escort pushed him inside. “Be quiet.”

The Beastman had no choice but to shut his mouth, swallowing his questions.

’He just wanted to ask if Healer Lu was really as amazing as Kels and the others claimed.’

Lu Xiao watched as a chubby, slightly older Beastman came in.

“Hello, what’s your name?”

“My name is Robin. I was a chef. I don’t know if you’ve ever eaten at Egger Restaurant, but I was the head chef there.”

Lu Xiao was a little surprised. This was the first time since she started treating patients that she had encountered a male who wasn’t from a military background.

“Wow, that sounds amazing! You know, I love to cook myself. Don’t look so surprised. I know it’s a little hard to believe, but it’s true!”

“That really is incredible! That you’d be willing to set foot in a kitchen!”

“It’s not just me. All the therapists at our institute are learning how to cook. There’s a real sense of accomplishment in making a delicious meal with your own hands.”

“Yes… I know. I’ve always known that. I just don’t have the chance anymore.”

“You have to keep hope, Robin. Let’s make a deal. When we meet next week, you tell me your specialty dish, and I’ll bring something I’ve cooked myself to trade with you. How does that sound?”

Robin’s eyes went wide, and he stared at Lu Xiao in disbelief. “You… you’re going to let me taste your cooking?”

“Of course!”

“Of course I’m willing! I mean, it would be my honor! I really don’t know how to express my gratitude. I…”

“Then you’ll need to cooperate fully with the treatment. How has your sleep been lately…?”

Once she began her routine questions, Lu Xiao’s demeanor became a bit more serious.

Robin’s condition was similar to Kels’s, nearing the Early Intermediate stage.

The medication had some effect on him, but not much.

Without intervention, he would be at a standard Early Intermediate level by their next meeting.

Lu Xiao noted his condition in her records, then put on her gloves and walked over. “Alright, Robin. Now, please close your eyes. Try not to think about anything, and just get some good sleep.”

“Okay, Healer Lu. I won’t move.” The moment he finished speaking, Robin obediently closed his eyes.

The moment Lu Xiao extended her purification power into him, she couldn’t help but give a small mental gasp.

Robin’s Spirit Sea contained very little Dark Matter. Instead, it was his spirit silk that was a tangled mess.

’What’s going on here?’

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep