SSS-Ranked Surgeon In Another World: The Healer Is Actually OP! - Chapter 256: This Is How It Starts!

Chapter 256: This Is How It Starts!

The next morning, Bruce woke to the sharp, insistent ringing of his smart bracelet, the sound cutting cleanly through the haze of sleep. For a brief moment his mind drifted, instincts still submerged, before training took over. He reached out without opening his eyes and tapped the accept rune.

A soft hum followed, light spilling into the dim room as a holographic figure flickered into existence above his wrist. Bale’s familiar outline formed cleanly, posture straight, expression alert, already fully dressed, someone who had clearly been awake and working long before the sun rose.

“Morning,” Bale said, his voice steady and clear. “I’ve already discussed it with them.”

Bruce sat up at once, sleep evaporating as if it had never existed. His expression sharpened, focus locking in. “And?”

“Everything’s been settled,” Bale replied. “The leadership agreed to your proposal. No objections. The meeting’s been scheduled for today, three o’clock.”

Bruce nodded slowly, absorbing the information, already adjusting his mental schedule. “Good. I’ll be there.”

There was the faintest pause before Bale added, “I’ll send the formal details shortly.”

“Do that.”

The call ended, the projection collapsing back into the bracelet until nothing remained but silence. Bruce exhaled through his nose, gaze drifting to the ceiling as he let the weight of the day settle onto his shoulders. A leadership meeting at three, preparations before that, contingencies to consider, today was going to be busy.

The door creaked open before he could fully organize his thoughts.

“Big brother!”

The sudden burst of energy hit him head-on. Bruce turned just in time to see Lily rush into the room, wooden spear clutched in both hands, eyes shining with barely contained excitement. Ash fluttered in behind her, wings beating softly before the little dragon settled atop the bedpost with a cheerful chirp.

“Teacher said today is practice day!” Lily announced proudly, bouncing on her feet. “We’re supposed to train what we learned!”

Bruce blinked once, then let out a low chuckle, the tension easing from his shoulders. Right. Today was a holiday for her. And judging by the way she was practically vibrating in place, she’d been waiting for this since dawn.

“…Alright,” he said, swinging his legs off the bed. “Let’s practice.”

Her reaction was instantaneous. Lily’s face lit up as if he’d just handed her the world.

They moved outside to the open space near the house, the morning air cool against Bruce’s skin, the ground firm and familiar beneath his boots.

Sunlight filtered gently through the surroundings, catching on dust motes and the faint shimmer of Ash’s scales as the dragon perched nearby to watch. Lily took her position first, feet planted carefully, spear held with both hands exactly the way she’d been taught. Her posture was rigid but earnest, every muscle focused on doing things right.

Bruce studied her for a moment, then made his choice. Instead of transforming red to his usual spear weapon he used to spar with her, he instead transformed it to twin daggers appeared in his hands, edges dulled, grips reversed. His stance was relaxed, almost casual, but there was intent beneath it.

“You’re using daggers?” Lily asked, eyes flicking to his hands.

“I want to see how you adapt,” Bruce replied calmly. “Go on.”

She didn’t hesitate.

Lily moved first, wooden spear thrusting forward in a clean, direct line. There was no wasted motion, just speed and intent. Bruce raised one dagger, angling the flat of the blade to meet the shaft and redirect it rather than stop it outright. The impact was light, controlled, meant to test rather than overwhelm.

But Lily didn’t freeze.

Instead of retreating, she adjusted mid-motion. Her grip shifted instinctively, hands sliding along the shaft as she pushed the far end forward, altering the spear’s angle at the last second. The weapon skimmed along Bruce’s dagger with minimal resistance, momentum preserved, the line of attack suddenly straight and dangerously precise.

Fast. Clean.

Bruce’s eyes flickered with approval even as his body moved. He stepped sideways, smooth and measured, but deliberately didn’t move far enough. The wooden tip tore through the fabric of his clothes, stopping just short after leaving a clean rip behind.

Lily froze.

Her breath caught as she stared at the tear, shock flooding her expression. She pulled the spear back instantly, hands trembling as her gaze shot up to him. “I, I’m sorry, big brother!” she said quickly, guilt crashing in all at once. “I didn’t mean to, are you hurt?”

Bruce paused, genuinely taken off guard. He’d allowed the strike through on purpose, intended it as a lesson, a quiet affirmation of her progress. He hadn’t expected this.

He stepped closer and crouched slightly, lowering himself to her level. “Lily,” he said gently, lifting her chin so she’d look at him. Her eyes were wide, glossy with worry. “Listen to me.”

She nodded.

“Your big brother is strong,” he continued, voice steady, warm. “A wooden spear like this can’t hurt me. What you just did, that wasn’t a mistake.”

Her lips trembled.

“You adapted,” Bruce said. “You saw an opening and you took it. That’s something many fighters never learn.” He tapped the torn fabric lightly. “Be proud. You pierced my clothing. That means you reached me.”

Her small fists clenched slowly, knuckles whitening.

“When you fight,” Bruce went on, tone firming just a little, “you don’t hesitate. You don’t apologize. You give it everything you have. The stronger you become, the safer you’ll be.” A faint smile touched his lips. “And your big brother will always be here to stop things before anything goes wrong.”

Something shifted in her eyes. The guilt receded, replaced by something steadier, sharper. Resolve.

“…Okay,” Lily said softly.

She raised her spear again. This time her stance tightened, feet digging into the ground, grip firm, gaze focused. When she moved, there was no doubt in her steps, only determination.

Bruce smiled as he raised his daggers once more, the dulled blades catching the pale morning light as he settled back into stance. Good. This was how it started.

They clashed for several more minutes, wood and steel meeting again and again in controlled exchanges that rang softly through the open space near the house.