Konbini Ossan Volume 2 Chapter 23 – Expectations for the Calculator

“Alright then, let’s start with a simple calculation. What’s one plus one?”

“Two.”

Shuri-kun promptly answered my question.

“Next one. In one place, there’s a boy and a girl. The boy has one apple, and the girl has two apples.

…

The boy becomes full after eating one and a half apples. The girl becomes full after eating half an apple.

…

Now, after both of them have eaten until they’re full, how many apples are left?”

“One.”

Again, Shuri-kun answered correctly. Well, both problems were too simple to begin with. It’s only natural he could solve them.

However, the important part here is the fact that he could solve them.

“I asked you two questions, and to answer both of them, you performed calculations in your head, right?”

“Yeah. I processed simple arithmetic in my head and got the answers. Why do you ask?”

“Good. In the first question, I presented you with a formula. But in the second, I didn’t present a formula at all. And yet, why do you think you were still able to calculate the answer?”

“Whoa, that suddenly got philosophical.”

Perhaps due to the sudden shift in the topic, Shuri-kun was taken aback.

“Well... I guess because converting the situation into a formula made it easier to get the answer?”

“I see. Certainly, formulas can be called a language created to make handling numbers easier.

…

When people are faced with a problem involving numbers, they tend to convert it into a formula, do the math, and derive the answer.”

At my deliberately wordy explanation, Shuri-kun frowned slightly.

“Otogin, could you get to the point?”

“Of course. Then here’s the next question. When solving a problem, what do you think is the difference between using a formula and not using one?”

“Hmm, another roundabout question. I suppose the difference lies in the theory being used.

…

When using formulas, we rely on mathematical theory. When not using formulas, we use other approaches like inductive or deductive reasoning.”

“Interesting. So you think there’s no major difference beyond that?”

“Right.”

Excellent. That was a satisfactory answer. Now the conversation can move forward.

“Let’s return to the original topic. «Calculator» is a skill that performs calculations to derive answers. But when we say ‘calculations,’ how broad do you think that scope is?”

“Scope? Well, surely it’s limited to mathematical calculations—”

At that point, Shuri-kun paused. After a few seconds of silence, he spoke again.

“Wait… maybe that’s not necessarily true. Mathematical processes are ultimately just a framework we humans created.

…

Skills aren’t something born of human culture. So there’s no guarantee that a skill will operate within the boundaries of human definitions.”

Shuri-kun phrased it in a slightly difficult way. Marceline and Arisa tilted their heads, not quite able to follow.

So I supplemented the explanation.

“Mathematics is a language created by humanity based on invented numbers. It doesn’t exist in nature.

…

And skills aren’t human-made either; they’re natural phenomena. So it’s unnatural to assume that something born from nature would adhere to something man-made, right?”

Marceline nodded at my explanation. Arisa still looked confused, tilting her head.

But if I continued elaborating here, the discussion would go off-track. So I decided to proceed.

“Given that, it becomes unnatural to assume that the «Calculator» only handles mathematical operations.

…

On the contrary, it’s more appropriate to assume that it can calculate and process all kinds of problems — not just math.”

That’s right. In other words, «Calculator» skill isn’t limited to formulas. It can compute solutions to all kinds of problems.

“For example, ‘1+1’ is a calculation that can be expressed with a formula. But that’s only from the mathematical perspective.

…

If you dig deeper, a formula is simply a way of expressing ‘comparing multiple pieces of information to derive new information’ using numbers.

…

So a formula isn’t the essence of calculation — just its outer shell. What’s truly being processed by the skill isn’t that superficial outer shell.

…

It’s the core: comparing multiple data points to extract an answer. That’s the true nature of calculation. That’s the true power of the «Calculator».”

As I continued explaining, Marceline and Arisa both wore increasingly confused expressions, heads tilted like they didn’t understand at all.

“So what the heck does that mean!?”

(E/N: That's wat I'm sayin' 😵‍💫😮‍💨)

Arisa finally raised her voice in frustration. It’s true — my explanation was a bit too wordy. I should just state clearly what this skill can do.

“In short, it means you’ll become absurdly smart. As long as the necessary information is available, you can derive the correct answer to any problem.

…

In other words, the «Calculator» skill is basically the ability to always get the right answer.”

Hearing my summary, Arisa looked dumbfounded.

“But… I don’t feel like I’ve gotten any smarter?”

(E/N: Lmao, us Arisa us!)

And just like that, she casually denied my entire theory.

——————

E/N:

The YAP ain't over yet, Arisa seems to have an overpowered skill although it has yet to be put to use!

Hopefully the yap ends by the end of the volume which isn't too far. Stay tuned for some spicy developments! 😏

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