The sun rose in the morning, casting soft light through the lattice carved windows of the Darsha Palace. Sharath was seated in the barber's chair, his typical placid demeanor relaxed by the warmth of the familiar routine. The palace barber today was not only cutting his hair but also shaving his beard with the practiced precision that had been developed over decades of work.
"Lord Sharath," the barber said, delicately running the straight razor along the jawline of Sharath, "you've developed all these machines and gadgets to simplify life for all people—communication, transportation, even plants on the Moon! But… might there ever come a time when you might invent something for a simple vocation like mine? A barber, you know, might benefit from some magic and machinery."
Sharath smiled quietly, reclining slightly. Shaving soap's warm aroma and the soft buzz of enchanted water basins floated through the air. "I haven't done anything for barbers yet," he confessed, his tone even but reflective. "But it's a fine idea. Maybe someday I shall be able to devise a means of making your work quicker, cleaner, and. maybe even enjoyable for your clients."
The eyes of the barber sparkled. "Lord Sharath Virayan Darsha, to even think of me is an honor! My hands would be steadier, my shaves sharper—granted by you!"
Sharath smiled, completing the meticulous scrutiny of his beard and hair with a slight nod. The last few strokes of the razor rendered his jawline smooth, clean, and precise. The barber bowed low in gratitude, pride and elation gleaming on his face, before assisting Sharath stand up from the chair.
Following his shave, Sharath proceeded to the bathing chambers. Warm water rained upon him, steam winding into the air, bearing the subtle aroma of herbal oils. He closed his eyes for an instant, letting the moment of tranquility wash over him before he readied himself for breakfast. The dining hall, once more, was radiant with sunlight shining across the gleaming marble floors. Plates of fresh fruits, baked bread, eggs, and honeyed drinks were laid out for him. He ate slowly, relishing the tastes, his thoughts already on possibilities.
By the time breakfast was over, Sharath had pulled out paper and ink, laying them out tidily on the table. He dipped the quill and started writing, considering systematically common tools, ordinary items, and trades that might stand to gain from innovation. He wrote in a measured, systematic manner, balancing imagination with pragmatism.
Then, he enumerated barber equipment, motivated by his latest shave:
Trimmers and Razors – upgrades for accuracy, automatic blade adjustment, and comfort grip.
Hairdryers / Heat Tools – power-saving, adjustable heat with enchanting airflow control for faster drying.
Tweezers – precision-engineered, self-illuminating for fine work.
Small Storage Tools / Tool Belt – feature-filled compartments, automatically configured.
Combs and Brushes – with vibration or rotation for simpler styling, particularly for curly or heavy hair.
Hair Gel, Wax, and Styling Devices – enchanted for longer hold and healthier locks.
Makeup for women – heated and timed dispensers for everyday use.
Then, with his thoughts drifting, Sharath pondered other products in everyday life that might be improved:
Children's skateboards – improved balance, enchantment-assisted propulsion for safety and enjoyment.
Umbrellas – automatic folding, wind-proof with minimal magical shielding.
Cooking implements – intelligent spatulas, stirring gadgets, heat-sensitive spoons.
Cleaning equipment – brooms and brushes that sense dirt or clean themselves.
Storage containers – modular, expandable, temperature-controlled for food or personal goods.
Footwear – light weight, flexible, and self-evaporative.
Clothing fasteners – buttons and laces that automatically adapt to comfortable wear.
Sharath would sometimes stop, rubbing his chin in contemplation and looking out the window. Birds flitted through the gardens of the palace, and sunlight danced across the leaves in a fleeting glint of gold. Every notion would inspire another dozen, and he scribbled them down before they could escape.
There were humorous ideas among them, born of practicality and imagination mixed together:
Self-brush hats – only for those days when a brush is too tiresome.
Shoe-in portable snack dispensers – for kids or travelers.
Posture-adjusting chairs – that auto-adjust for a long meeting.
Magic ink pens – that self-refill and avoid blotting.
By the time the list was finalized, the paper was covered with neat handwriting, drawings, and feasibility notes, magical augmentations, and user-friendliness. Sharath sat back, soaking his quill once more to note a few additional ideas, envisioning the possible smiles, ease, and awe his inventions would bring to mundane lives.
He felt a quiet contentment. The barber's inquiry had not only instigated a practical sequence of innovations for day-to-day instruments but had encouraged Sharath to recall the happiness of watching life's tiny routines and noticing means to refine them. Even in a world that could make lunar woods, enchanted computers, and flying contraptions, there was always space to innovate in the lowest depths of everyday living.
Lastly, he folded the paper gingerly, putting it aside for later tweaking. Breakfast plates cleared, the palace grew still as his aides saw to their work. Sharath smiled weakly, believing that even when shaving and having a plain meal, one might plant seeds of ideas which could alter lives in subtle but significant ways.
And so, the question of one barber had initiated the whole chain of possible innovations, linking the grandiose inventions of the Unity Empire to the mundane lives of its people—a sign that even great visionaries never lost sight of the beauty of the simple, humane moments.