Chapter 1: A Gambler's Intuition
Thanks in part to her career as the Ultimate Gambler, Celestia Ludenberg is savvy enough to understand that something is dreadfully wrong. Last she remembers, she'd stepped across the gated threshold of Hope's Peak. Now, she stands before 13 equally-disoriented-looking individuals.
Disoriented though they may be, it doesn't take long for a certain sort of social order to establish itself. One boy, of average build and clad in a pristine white, wields an obnoxiously loud voice in bringing the rest into line. A girl with silky blue hair is talking out of turn, attempting to introduce herself to a demure, olive-clad girl at her right. In all likelihood, no introduction is necessary for the Ultimate Pop Sensation, Maizono Sayaka; Celestia recognizes both her and her voice immediately. So too does the boy in white; he is unfazed by her presence and quickly tells her to pipe down.
Celeste spots another boy, horribly overweight and already sweating profusely, staring at her, and she quells her disgust and offers a warm smile in turn. She averts her gaze and scans the room. She recognizes the fake pink hair of Enoshima Junko that she has so often seen in the tabloids and acknowledges the rippling muscles of a girl that must stand at least 190 centimeters. She hides a shiver as she locks eyes with the cold, analytical gaze of the famous Togami heir, and she almost flinches when she finds herself on the receiving end of a bespectacled glare from the sickly-looking girl at his side.
She pauses to collect herself, and it is at that moment that a 15th student bursts through the doors of the foyer. His hair bobs as he catches his breath and introduces himself, and his eyes widen as the martinetish boy tells him off for his tardiness. His brown hair, short stature, and trendy clothes scream unremarkable, and Celeste finds herself unspeakably annoyed when his already-wide eyes turn to saucers at the sight of Maizono Sayaka. Once he has been scolded sufficiently, he falls into line with the rest of the class. Celeste weighs speaking up; it's certainly in her own best interest to learn more about the people around her. She's cognizant of her own utter confusion, and callous though it may sound, knows that the Ultimate talents around her might be the keys to her understanding.
She opens her mouth to begin, but someone else beats her to it, a girl with tanned skin and generous proportions. Her voice and demeanor are bubbly, almost revoltingly so; she wisely asks that people introduce themselves, but Celeste anticipates it more of a social decision than a strategic one.
Nonetheless, the introductions begin. Celeste steers clear of Maizono and Enoshima - not only has she no interest in fraternizing with pop sensations and models; their Ultimate talents are also ultimately useless. She also means to avoid Yamada Hifumi, but he chases her down for the incomprehensible purpose of introducing himself as "The Alpha and the Omega" and the Ultimate Fanfiction Creator. She giggles politely and leaves him in the dust. Instead, she approaches and files away some of the more useful individuals: Fujisaki Chihiro, the Ultimate Programmer, possesses potentially valuable skills; Ogami Sakura, the Ultimate Martial Artist, would be invaluable in a fight; Kuwata Leon and Asahina Aoi, the Ultimate Baseball Star and the Ultimate Swimming Pro, both appear physically capable, as does Owada Mondo, the Ultimate Biker Gang Leader; the taciturn Kirigiri Kyoko refuses to reveal her Ultimate ability, but something tells Celeste that she'll be an important ally.
But of the thirteen students she bothers to meet, it is the final introduction that piques her interest and shakes her to the core all at once. The boy introduces himself as the Ultimate Lucky Student, and already Celeste is intrigued. Luck, after all, is her own brand, carefully crafted over a years-long gambling career. But it is what he does next that jars her: he questions her name. It's simple water under the bridge for him, she can tell - without thinking, he points out a perceived oddity - but his words wake a sleeping beast.
Celestia Ludenberg is my real name, she insists. But as I mentioned, I'd much rather you call me Celeste. Her words are forced, though she doubts he can tell. She feels the heat rising within her; she feels a scream bubbling in her throat. She balls her fists behind her back, digging the pointed end of her gunmetal ring into her palm. The corners of her vision tint with red as the scream continues to rise - my name is Celestia Ludenberg, GOD DAMN IT - and she applies more and more pressure until she feels the brass tip break the skin. The feeling of blood welling up in her palm douses the fire and cools her head, and she makes a note to patch herself up later.
She gives the intriguing, terrifying boy as warm a smile as she can muster. I look forward to getting to know you better, she says; it's her first true statement of the day.