Episode 86 — System Definition: Humanity

A few days later, I was projecting Felsen’s demographic data and some diagrams I’d whipped up in a basic paint program onto the large monitor. I turned to Gustav, who was diligently taking notes beside me.

"Listen, Gustav. Why exactly do you think humans, elves, and Magic Races are different creatures?"

At my sudden question, Gustav stopped his pen and looked up, puzzled.

"Pardon? Well, for starters, our appearances are different, and our aptitudes for magic vary. Above all, we’ve been taught that our origins as species are different. We are humans, they are demi-humans or demons... that’s just how it is."

"I see. But from a system perspective, that’s a fatal 'definition error.' That incorrect categorization is exactly what’s generating the bug called prejudice."

I leaned deep into my Throne of Sloth and operated my phone to display a comparison chart on the monitor.

"In my world, there’s a clear rule for classifying living things. It’s based on whether they can interbreed and produce fertile offspring. We call this the biological species concept."

"Interbreed? You mean, whether they can have children together?"

"Exactly. For example, you have horses and donkeys. If you cross them, you get a mule. But mules are almost always sterile. A horse has sixty-four chromosomes—think of them as the grids of a blueprint—while a donkey has sixty-two. A mule is born with sixty-three, an odd number. Because the number of grids doesn't match up, it can't produce the next copy—the reproductive cells."

I switched the screen to show a comparison between monkeys and gorillas.

"With more distant species, like monkeys and gorillas, they can't even fertilize. The format of the genetic code is fundamentally different. If you try to force parts from two different sets of hardware together, it won't run. In the same way, life isn't generated."

Gustav was overwhelmed by the unknown terminology but was desperately trying to keep up.

"But Mr. Zect... Elishua is of mixed heritage between a human and an elf, and Argo is of mixed heritage between a human and a demon. They exist right here before us."

"That’s the point. People like Elishua and Argo aren't like mules. In this world, is it common for people of mixed heritage—for hybrids—to have their own children in the next generation?"

"Yes. There are many recorded cases of people of mixed heritage starting families and having children. Even one of my distant relatives has elven blood."

"Then there’s only one conclusion. Humans, elves, and demons—biologically, you are all just one single species. You aren't incomplete errors like mules, nor are you incompatible species like monkeys and gorillas."

As I stated it flatly, Gustav froze, looking as if he’d been struck by lightning.

"Wh—What are you saying!? Then the conflicts we’ve waged for centuries, the laws that separate our races... what were they all for?"

"You just mistook individual differences for species differences and split the database for no reason. Listen, Gustav. If you can have children, and those children can have their own children, it means the compatibility of the internal code is maintained at nearly one hundred percent. It’s just a minor update where the parameters are shifted slightly, or a different casing color is specified."

I took a sip of my Cola and let it fizz in my throat.

"Elves are the model with parameters shifted toward mana capacity. Demons are the model shifted toward computational power and dexterity. That’s all it is. As long as the next generation continues, the essential program code is the same. Gustav, would you define a person with a different hair color as a different species?"

"Of course not. That would be..."

"Discrimination is a massive pile of junk code built on a false premise—the idea that you’re 'different species.' The fact that Elishua and Argo exist and their blood continues to the next generation is the ultimate proof that this world is composed of a single species. Denying that is the same as ignoring the specifications sitting right in front of your face."

Gustav nodded repeatedly, as if processing something vital within himself. In his eyes, I saw a flicker of relief, as if the heavy burden of racial discord he’d been carrying was being dismantled by logic.

"It makes sense. Mr. Zect, your words always clarify the outlines of the world that were hidden in the mist. Not 'races' but 'residents.' Not competing over the color of our blood, but managing ourselves as brethren with the same blueprint. This truly is the optimal path for Felsen."

Gustav, overcome with emotion, stood up from his chair and gave a deep bow. I felt a bit awkward under his overly serious gaze and looked away.

"Yeah, well, as long as the logic tracks, that’s fine. Just merge the administrative databases and cut down on those useless sorting costs. Now go. If you don't hurry, the people at the government office won't be able to get started, right?"

"Yes! I will immediately revise the draft for the Equal Residency Act! Excuse me!"

Watching Gustav bolt out of the living room as if he’d been launched from a catapult, I let out a long breath.

"Whew. Seriously, when he gets that fired up, it wears me out too."

In the now-quiet room, Tama let out a lazy meow.

"Meow."

I lightly stroked Tama’s head and set the glass of now-warm Cola on the side table.

Humans, elves, and demons. If I throw them all into a single directory, the processing becomes significantly lighter.

Now that the unnecessary calculations have been cleared, I think I’ll get back to the most important process of all: wasting time.

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