Resisting the urge to try out the seemingly incredible options, Lin Yu forced his eyes to stay focused on the rain-related settings that had expanded on his system interface.
[ Time of Occurrence ]
[ Range of Occurrence ]
[ Rainfall ]
[ Probability of Occurrence Selected ]
Seconds later, the system chimed in:
[ There will be moderate rain lasting half an hour within a one-kilometer radius, with a 100% probability. ]
[ It has taken effect. Please wait 10 seconds. ]
The system's blunt voice echoed in his mind. Ten seconds passed quickly.
"Damn it, it's really raining."
Standing by the window, Lin Yu looked outside. The clear sky from just moments ago had suddenly darkened, and the rapid formation of thick clouds defied the usual weather patterns. A downpour began almost immediately.
"It's like magic, or maybe some kind of spell, right?" Lin Yu muttered, confused, as people on the street scrambled to find shelter from the unexpected rain.
[ This is just a probability event. ]
The system's unemotional voice answered without hesitation.
"…Is this still considered a 'probability event'?" Lin Yu asked, incredulity in his tone.
[ Exactly. It's like if you walked ten kilometers with your eyes closed, not hitting anything in a crowded street. It's a probability event. ]
The system continued:
[ It's similar to the infinite monkey theorem: if you had infinite monkeys typing randomly on typewriters, one of them might eventually type a literary masterpiece. It seems impossible, but in an infinite number of events, it becomes inevitable. Manipulating probability makes the first monkey type out that masterpiece, turning an event that might take infinite trials into the first trial itself. ]
Adjusting the probability to 100% ensures an event, no matter how unlikely, will happen, while adjusting it to 0% makes it impossible, no matter how inevitable it seems. This is probability manipulation. ]
"Oh… so it's like that. But what about probabilities greater than 0% but less than 100%?" Lin Yu's understanding deepened, but he still had questions.
[ The probability of 0% means an event will never happen. 100% means it will definitely happen. Probabilities between 0% and 100% are about the likelihood of an event happening. In an infinite universe, no matter how small the probability, as long as it's greater than 0%, it will eventually happen. ]
For example, if a person's probability of awakening a superpower is adjusted to 99.9999%, there's still a chance they might never awaken it. But with a 0.0001% chance, they might still awaken it someday, because the probability is never truly zero. ]
"Ah, so, between 0% and 100%, it's still influenced by things like luck. Only 0% and 100% are absolute, right?" Lin Yu thought for a moment before the pieces started to fall into place.
The system explained further:
[ Yes, that's correct. 0% and 100% are the absolute extremes—one guarantees the event won't happen, the other guarantees it will. ]
"Got it," Lin Yu nodded, understanding how to use the probability control. He then shifted his focus to the other ability listed in his system interface. "What about this 'Infinite Dimension Ascension' ability? Is it like those people in The Three-Body Problem who transition from three-dimensional to four-dimensional space?"
[ 'Infinite Dimension Ascension' works similarly to 'Probability Control,' as it's another innate ability of the host. It allows you to infinitely upgrade your own dimension of existence. Unlike characters in The Three-Body Problem, who enter four-dimensional fragments through curvature points, your ability doesn't require that. You can upgrade to four-dimensional or even higher dimensions without such constraints. ]
"So, I won't need to travel through curvature points or anything like that?" Lin Yu asked, still a little unclear.
[ Correct. You can instantly transition to higher dimensions, no matter the space around you. Even if all dimensions in your universe are curled up, your ability will still allow you to ascend without issue. ]
Lin Yu blinked, half-understanding. He was into science fiction and had read The Three-Body Problem and Ball Lightning, so the concepts weren't entirely foreign. Still, some of this was beyond his grasp.
"Okay, but how do I activate this ability? Do I meditate or say a chant or something?"
As expected, the system's next response would be... less than satisfying.
[ No need for special preparations. The ability activates when the host decides to increase their dimension, simply by thinking about it. You may also select a specific dimension to ascend to via the system. ]
Lin Yu stared blankly. "So... I just need to think about it?" The simplicity was almost a letdown. For such a profound ability, he'd expected some dramatic gesture, not just a thought.
"Fine. Let's test this out."
With a deep breath, he thought:
"Upgrade to four dimensions."
In an instant, he vanished from his room, leaving behind only a faint layer of dark matter. His computer, still powered on, and his phone remained where he had been sitting.
"Holy shit—" Lin Yu's voice faltered, and his mind raced as he realized he had disappeared from the three-dimensional world and entered the fourth dimension.
Pain flared in his head, a sharp discomfort accompanying his sudden transition. It was like an amphibian climbing out of water for the first time—an environment it had never encountered before. His body was adjusting, but his mind was overwhelmed by the flood of new sensory input.
The vast expanse of the fourth dimension unfolded before him—an endless starry sky composed of all the structures of the three-dimensional universe. It was like seeing everything in all directions at once.
"I didn't even prepare for this!" Lin Yu's brain felt like it was about to explode, processing information in ways his mind wasn't ready for. The sensation was intense, a conflict between his upgraded body and his still-adjusting mind.
As he tried to make sense of it all, a soft voice echoed in his mind.
[ Host, your brain is adapting to the new information processing method. After a short period of adaptation, the redundant details will be filtered, and stability will be restored. ]
Lin Yu felt the pressure in his head gradually dissipate. The intense discomfort lessened, his brain slowly synchronizing with its new, higher-dimensional state.
[ This system is unique to you. Unlike other systems in novels, this one is composed of your 'Probability Manipulation' ability, combined with your memory and intelligence. It is an intrinsic part of you—a second personality that shares all your memories and can be customized in behavior, tone, and style. ]
"So, you're basically my twin system, huh?" Lin Yu chuckled weakly. "And now I can change your theme?"
[ Correct. Would you like to change the system's theme now? ]
The system's response was still blunt, but Lin Yu imagined it could sense his amusement.
After pondering, Lin Yu decided, "Yeah, let's switch it up. I want a cute girl's voice. Something calm, but a bit tsundere. No more uncle-like voices in my head!"
The system's interface appeared in his mind, and Lin Yu began making selections. A few moments later, he said:
"Confirm the changes."
As soon as he gave the command, the system's theme shifted. The voice in his head softened, now more lively, with the playful tone he'd requested.