Life guard + Projection Orb

When i use this combo i do not get any healing from this interaction.
From my understanding the “next spell has life steal” and PO is a spell that cast other spells that can potentially do damage.
For that interaction only mean direct damage?
Is it because PO( the spell) don’t do no damage on its own?

needs the word damage on the spell

is the same reason kalimos can deal damage to hero with shuderblock