The sun rose slowly over House Darsha's vast courtyard, but Sharath Virayan Darsha, seven years young, was wide-eyed and already on high alert, a gleam of determination and slight annoyance in his eyes. His thoughts were fixated on a single daring objective: infrastructure modernization through magical assistance, and it was to begin with the roads.
"NeuroBoop," he muttered to his hovering AI sidekick floating alongside him, "today we flatten more than egos. Roads are next."
NeuroBoop's reply, heavy with digital snark: [🐧CREATOR, I NOTICE YOUR AMBITIONS HAVE FINALLY OUTGROWN YOUR AGE. PLEASE ASK YOURSELF IF YOU ARE REALLY GOING TO FLATTEN THE ENTIRE KINGDOM RATHER THAN JUST THE ROADS.]
"Technically, of course," Sharath grinned back, "just the roads. Egos are optional collateral."
The Magic Road RollerSharath unrolled a massive parchment, filled with drawings and elaborate rune designs. At the center of it all was the plan for the Magic Road Roller—a machine that could compact dirt, smooth cobblestones, and leave behind a path of immaculately flattened ground with the accuracy of a mechanical god.
He called for Magister Thalwyn, the kingdom's best magic engineer. "Magister," Sharath said, gesturing toward the drawings, "we want a straightforward process to enchant the rollers so they are heavy enough to smooth out the roads but not so heavy that they squish anything—or anybody. Safety above all. Even for Thermo."
NeuroBoop interrupted: [🐧CREATOR, YOUR CONCERNS FOR SAFETY ARE NOT ENTIRELY IRRELEVANT, BUT STATISTICALLY, THERMO ISN'T SIGNING ANY LIABILITY WAIVERS.]
A few days of trial and error ensued. The initial roller went haywire on its own, crushing part of the workshop floor and just missing TherMo the cat's tail. Another test model somehow floated up into the rafters and wouldn't budge. A third model rolled backward and sideways at the same time, seemingly creating a new motion physics formula.
Last but not least, after repeated trial-and-error, Sharath perfected it: the Magic Road Roller moved forward, smoothed out surfaces evenly, and came to a halt precisely where it was supposed to.
[🐧SUCCESS: FIRST MAGIC-AIDED ROAD ROLLER DONE. EFFICIENCY LEVEL: UNQUESTIONABLY IMPRESSIVE.]
The Magic Digging MachineSecond was the Magic Digging Machine, which would be responsible for trenches, drainage, and foundation excavation. Its mechanism was more sophisticated, needing tight coordination of magical mechanics with interchangeable digging arms.
Early models were. problematic. The first arm twirled in a whirlwind, pelting soil around the courtyard like a small dust storm. The second dug a wonky hole that momentarily threatened to engulf the whole workshop. The last model tried a philosophical uprising, halting mid-dig to "contemplate existence."
Sharath, with infinite patience and the occasional eye-roll at Magister Thalwyn, eventually came up with a working machine. The digging arms glided in perfect unison, soil neatly deposited, and runes stabilized the system.
NeuroBoop remarked: [🐧CREATOR, YOU HAVE SUCCESSFULLY TURNED CHAOS INTO ORDER. CONGRATULATIONS, YOU ARE NOW OFFICIALLY A YOUNG ENGINEERING DEITY.]
Household DemonstrationSharath summoned the entire family to view the machines. Tricycles whizzed by, the Magic Road Roller rolled down cobblestones producing flawless surfaces, and the Digging Machine dug trenches as if drawing with earth.
"Father! See! With these machines, we can construct smooth roads throughout the whole dukedom! No more rough rides, no more smashed carts, and for sure no more horses whining about their work!"
Lord Darsha, resting on his cane with a blend of wonder and curiosity, observed the machines in action. His forehead creased. "I see… this would really modernize our estate."
Sharath chuckled. "And it will. Provided everyone takes notice of the magic and mechanics. Otherwise, we'd turn your carriage into abstract art."
*NeuroBoop: [🐧CREATOR, YOU HAVE OFFICIALLY INTRODUCED HIGHLY EFFICIENT SARCASM INTO INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT. PROCEED WITH CAUTION.]
Training the WorkforceLord Darsha promptly utilized thirty groups to master the operation of these magical devices. Sharath personally monitored training for three months, making certain that laborers learned about enchantments, security measures, and functioning accuracy.
The workforce was prepared at the end of the training phase. Sharath, who was eight years old at this point, delivered a comprehensive road network plan to his father. Lord Darsha was stunned at the scale of planning.
"This… this is wonderful," he stated. "We can construct smooth, efficient roads all over the dukedom!"
Sharath smiled. "Precisely. Even your daily carriage rides will be pleasant rather than dangerous. And perhaps Uncle Alderic will cease shaking his fist at innovation… eventually."
Construction and CompletionEight months passed, and the roads shone. Each cobblestone neatly aligned, dirt tracks packed down, drainage maximized. Tricycles, carriages, and even the odd stray goat glided safely and efficiently.
NeuroBoop wisecracked: [🐧CREATOR, YOU HAVE NOW TURNED A DUKEDOM INTO A LAND OF SMOOTH WAYS AND HAPPY TRANSPORTATION DEVICES. NEXT STEP: WORLD DOMINATION.]
Sharath did not take the advice. "Not today, NeuroBoop. We first have a council to impress."
The Traditionalist ChallengeUncle Alderic showed up, red-faced and indignant. "This… this invention threatens centuries of tradition! Horse-drawn carriages, stables, veterinary trades, and husbandry! You've ruined history!"
Sharath, whose eyes were sparkling with mischief and sarcasm, said:
"Oh, dear Uncle, while your horses are undoubtedly noble, they are also prone to slipping, complaining, and occasionally tripping over their own feet. These roads improve travel, save time, and reduce mud-related injuries. Tricycles may be banned in your estates, but the roads themselves are clearly an exception."
Alderic, cheeks flaming, finally relented. Sharath had negotiated extra funding for Alderic's estate to adopt smooth roads while maintaining the traditionalist narrative.
Road Network Expansion in Alderic's DukedomTwenty teams were sent, trained, and deployed. Nine months after that, Alderic's dukedom was radiating with silky-smooth roads. Sharath had become ten years old by the time the network was running at full capacity.
[🐧INFRASTRUCTURE SUCCESS: MULTI-DUKEDOM ROAD NETWORK COMPLETE. SARCASM LEVEL: MAXIMUM.]
Cliffhanger: Royal SummonAs the sun went down, a royal envoy came in with a wax-sealed warrant issued by the Emperor himself. Sharath was to report to the capital to receive an audience with the Emperor and the Council of Elder Men.
"NeuroBoop," Sharath said, crumpling the scroll with a grin, "looks like the next adventure is with adults with long robes, furrowed brows, and likely lectures on the importance of not disturbing tradition. Shall we?
NeuroBoop, with sarcasm patented: [🐧CREATOR, PREPARE FOR HIGH-LEVEL INTERROGATION. EXPECT ADULTS TO BE CONFUSED, IMPATIENT, AND SLIGHTLY TERRIFIED BY YOUR MACHINES.]
Sharath loaded blueprints, sketches, and magic tools. The smooth roads of House Darsha waited behind him as he climbed onto a reinforced tricycle, set to travel to the capital.
[🐧TO BE CONTINUED: ROYAL CAPITAL, EMPEROR, AND COUNCIL OF OLD MEN.]