The meetings with Tenai for training take place three times a week; it is a frequent occurrence, and every time she plays, Tenai grows stronger. Fortunately, she appears to have successfully surpassed six simultaneous interfaces at the fourth-grade level, and she is currently struggling to establish accounts at the fifth-grade level. This process of establishing fifth-grade accounts also involves seven simultaneous interfaces, which I believe is an extremely arduous task.
「Master, how many interfaces can you play at once?」 (Tenai)
「Fifty interfaces, and recently, my opponents have mostly been computer programs [software].」 (Ōki)
「Fifty interfaces against computer programs...? And can you win?」 (Tenai)
「Previously, I would drop the lance (Kyō-ochi), but when I started dropping the bishop (Kaku-ochi) recently, winning suddenly became difficult.」 (Ōki)
Tenai seemed skeptical of my words, so I decided to show her the matter in practice. I only have ten available phones right now, but would all of them be enough when dropping the bishop?
(My winning rate when dropping the bishop has recently reached 80%. I will likely win all ten games.) (Ai)
(Alright. Let's start.) (Ōki)
Naturally, the computer programs make their moves quickly. And since Ai also provides move instructions instantly, all the games change consecutively without any pause for thought. The situation had reached a level of dexterity bordering on acrobatics, but when the number reaches fifty interfaces, my arms and hands start to tire halfway through. In reality, ten interfaces is the ideal number, and I believe Tenai can also keep up with ten interfaces.
In the beginning, Yashagami Tenai did not believe the scene unfolding before her. Every interface started with Ōki dropping the bishop, and the computer programs began attacking Ōki with almost identical moves.
In response, Ōki began introducing variety into his moves. The subtle changes created shifts in the positions, turning them into chaos. If the computer programs never paused to think, Ōki did not pause either. The most Tenai could do was merely track all the positions with her eyes.
Gradually, all the battle trajectories began to lean toward Ōki. Ōki would not overlook any collapsing balance, and the games started concluding one after another. All ten games ended in Ōki's victory.
「... Amazing.」 (Tenai)
If the rating of the current strongest Shogi player is around 2,000 points, the rating of these computer programs is said to range between 3,000 and 4,000. The sheer implausibility of winning against this program while dropping a piece and playing on ten interfaces caused the words of praise to flow from Tenai's mouth.
「Tenai, you haven't seen it yet, have you?」 (Ōki)
「What do you mean?」 (Tenai)
「To spontaneously perceive the movement of the pieces, or to have the checkmate sequence clearly appear before you.
Based on your appearance, that has not happened yet. So, we will start by working on enabling you to perceive it first.」 (Ōki)
Suddenly, Ōki checked Tenai's condition. This is what is called "Shogi talent," where some people can discern the sequence of moves without needing to calculate them. Since Tenai could not do this, she asked Ōki in a trembling voice:
「... Can I become capable of doing something like that?」 (Tenai)
「There is necessarily a logic to every phenomenon in this world. I know the essence of what is called Shogi talent and how to acquire it, and I intend to teach it to you.」 (Ōki)
Ōki answered Tenai's question with absolute confidence. It was almost as if he were saying, "I know everything about Shogi," but for some strange reason, Tenai was convinced by his words.
「Well then. I will teach you a part of that method.」 (Ōki)
「Can you teach it to me so easily?」 (Tenai)
「Of course. Because almost no one can imitate it.」 (Ōki)
「... In that case, there is no benefit.」 (Tenai)
「Yes, there is no benefit in imitating this method. However, it should serve as a guide for you.」 (Ōki)
Ōki paused his speech here and asked Tenai:
「Do you know what is called Perfect Memory Capability?」 (Ōki)
「I believe it's the ability to remember the content of a book or a sequence of characters in an instant, correct? I know of it, but what is the connection?」 (Tenai)
「This ability, fundamentally, is something all humans can do. A human being inherently does not forget. What you see once is engraved in the brain.」 (Ōki)
「... Oh, really? Then why do humans forget?」 (Tenai)
The content of the conversation revolved around Perfect Memory Capability. A human being does not inherently forget things. Simply put, everyone possesses the ability to retrieve memories engraved in the brain. However, it is an ability that gradually diminishes.
This is why elderly people who clearly suffer from dementia may suddenly begin speaking about memories they were supposed to have forgotten, or why the phenomenon occurs where memories lost due to amnesia gradually return.
「To say that a human is a being that forgets is not accurate. Precisely, we are beings that lose the ability to recall.」 (Ōki)
「... What logic. So, does this mean that I can recall all the Shogi games I have played so far if I try?」 (Tenai)
「That is one aspect of it. What I want to arrive at through this discussion is the simplification of the process of withdrawing memories from the periphery of the memory in the brain...」 (Ōki)
「?????」 (Tenai)
(Master's explanation is so terrible that Tenai-chan is confused! What you ultimately want is the division of thought and parallel processing, along with the automation of that process. Isn't that right?) (Ai)
(That is correct, but if I suddenly tell her to create an "alternate self inside her mind," I will sound completely insane!) (Ōki)
(But Master is currently in a state of complete insanity.) (Ai)
(Shut up. You were a personality that formed with me from the beginning.) (Ōki)
While Tenai was struggling to comprehend the words of her master, Ōki, he stumbled in his explanation and began an internal argument with Ai. Incidentally, Ōki's statement that Ai was a personality that "formed with him from the beginning" is untrue.
During the period Ōki spent as an infant after his transmigration, he could not bear the endless idle time, so he created another persona inside his head. That persona was an opponent in Shogi within the brain, and it slightly surpassed him in strength. This is Ai.
「When a strong professional Shogi player spontaneously perceives the movement of the pieces, it is because their brain is automatically thinking subconsciously. Is it possible to give this subconscious mind a persona and assign different tasks to it?」 (Ōki)
「I don't completely understand, but I realize you are trying to teach me something that is difficult to express in words. Also, this isn't something just anyone can do, is it?」 (Tenai)
「I don't know. Perhaps anyone can do it.」 (Ōki)
「... Why did I choose this specific person to be my master?
Anyway, I will continue with the multi-play. That is what is required, right?」 (Tenai)
「Yes. The parallel processing capability itself is an ability that anyone can develop, and it is even said that women are more predisposed to it. Your goal is ten interfaces at the eighth-grade level, so continue playing now without stopping.」 (Ōki)
Ōki resolved to articulate what he wanted to say clearly next time, while Tenai resumed her mission of establishing fifth-grade accounts.
... Two days later, three of Tenai's seven accounts had been promoted to the fifth-grade level.