Interview With Imperial Exam Students

Upon nearing the Imperial Exam building, we spot a pair of Kacheek twins and a Bruce who are hosting a mock spelling bee between each other. They introduce themselves as Lana, Rina, and Ken -- all hailing from the southern mountains of Shenkuu.

Hermiette: Hi everyone! How are you feeling about the Imperial Exam?

The three give wary smiles.

Ken: Very nervous. We’ve been practicing for this exam as soon as we learned how to spell. Thousands line up every year, just to be turned away for nothing.

Lana: Back in the day, they said that you needed to take a written test that lasted two days in order to advance to higher education in Shenkuu. Now, there are so many applicants and not enough spaces. So they hired guards at the front of the exam hall to quiz Neopians on spelling, where one mistake bans you from trying again for an entire year. If you manage to spell all the words correctly, you’re allowed to walk in and sit down for the written exam.

Rina: The stakes are so high, and we don’t want to disappoint our families.

Hermiette: I understand, this could really shape the rest of your lives! What are some of your dreams for the future?

The Kacheek twins’ cheeks start getting rosy.

Rina: We want to work in Faerieland! It’s a dream of mine to work in Queen Fyora’s court. It doesn’t matter if I’m her personal chef or her janitor -- I’ll take what I can get! Oh, to look out from a castle window to see pastel pink clouds…

Lana: Faerieland is the goal, but I’m more realistic than Rina.

Rina: Hey!

Lana: I love ya, sis. Anyway, I want to work as Marina’s assistant at the Healing Springs. Someone has got to manufacture all the glass bottles and corks for those strong potions! I love helping my friends, and I’d love to help Neopians that come to Faerieland from all around the world!

Hermiette: That’s incredible!

Ken: Ever since I could waddle, I’ve wanted to work in Moltara. Being an engineer surrounded by never ending obsidian, magma, and cogs sounds divine. I can see myself spending days in Moltaran Books poring over their textbooks about volcanic ash and goggles. Some like it cold, but I like it hot!

The trio takes a moment to laugh. All of them certainly look much more chipper now.

Hermiette: I love the positivity here! But it’s so sad to hear about the pressure that this puts on young Neopians like you all. I can only imagine how it’ll be when I get old enough to take the Imperial Exam!

A Starry Aisha walks towards us, looking like the Pant Devil stole all his Neopoints.

Rina: Aw, Ren...were you--

Ren: I misspelled “zucchini.” How was I supposed to remember that “h” is silent? That’s such an unnatural way to spell it! Now I have to study all over again for another year.

His long ears droop down, and so do all of our smiles.

Lana: Ren, it’s okay. Even though we’ve been stressing out this exam since forever, it’s not that big of a deal.

Ren’s ears droop all the way to the ground.

Ken: Lana, that doesn’t help at all!

Rina: I guess what she meant to say, is that there’s more to our futures than one exam.

Lana: Exactly! You can explore Neopia in so many different ways, and that’s the beauty of it.

Ren: Well, like how? Everyone always tells me that I have to pass the Imperial Exam in order to have an incredible future.

Hermiette: There’s plenty to do! I visit Faerieland all the time with my owner, and we always check out the Faerieland Employment Agency. Neopians of all ages are in there delivering items for Neopoints, and it’s not an odd job at all. You can travel the world, searching for the perfect gifts for someone.

Ren perks up.

Ren: Really? I’ve never been outside of Shenkuu...that sounds so cool.

Ken: Also, didn’t you want to work as a band manager for Yes Boy Ice Cream in Tyrannia?

Ren: I did! I’d love to schedule their tours and get to see them perform often.

Rina: You can do that without passing the Imperial Exam! All a manager needs to do is be flexible, creative, and have an amazing attitude, and you fit those qualifications perfectly.

Ren blushes.

Lana: Don’t let the guards get you down! We all believe in you.

Hermiette: You all are such true friends! From our part of Neopia, we’ve always seen Shenkuu as a place with cut-throat competition and strict standards. But you students are breaking the mold for the future, and I admire that so much.

Ren: I owe them a lot!

A bell rings three times. Excited chatter fills the air, and stomping ensues.

Ken: There it is! It’s our turn to line up and spell. Goodbye!

Rina: Thanks for interviewing us, this was fun!

Lana: Totally!

Hermiette: Good luck!

The trio holds hands and walks to a tall, formidable building. Ren shakes our hands and heads home.

This is just the story of four youngsters, but what about the thousands that are currently studying for the Imperial Exam, or the thousands of generations that are dreading it? Although Hermiette and I can’t quite interview all of the promising students, we can offer the following advice: please do not dedicate your life to this exam. Can the Imperial Exam open up new opportunities? Yes. But is it the be-all and end-all of all that Neopia has to offer? Certainly not!

Take some time to set aside your copies of Advanced Kreludan Physics and Maps of Neopia. Go on a walk, swim, or fly around your neighborhood. Take in all there is to see, because your future might take you far away from home. You will miss it and love it so much more when you start to travel. Know that the Imperial Exam is just a facet of life, a facet that makes up the beautiful world of Neopia.

Broaden your horizons and know that you are appreciated, brave students!