Loredana is an 18-year-old Green low-citizen entering Grandmaster University as a Public Person. She hopes to live a flawless public life for two years to overturn a court-ordered weapons restriction, which she received after killing an abusive high-citizen in self-defense. Although she possesses the physical strength and stamina typical of her genetic caste, she faces immense danger due to her father's controversial political actions. Her situation forces her to seek protection from the high-citizen elite she deeply resents.

Edmund is a wealthy Blue high-citizen and the son of the university's headmistress. He maintains an exclusive entourage of low-citizens whom he protects from the brutal behavior laws of the Civilized World. Haunted by rumors that his grandfather died a coward, he obsesses over reclaiming his family's lost Vanguard relics. He projects a ruthless public persona to survive the cutthroat politics of his caste while quietly opposing the daily executions of low-citizens.

Charlotte is a Green low-citizen who recently underwent extensive cosmetic surgery to change her appearance. After abandoning Loredana a year ago to immerse herself in the world of the high-caste Blues, she deeply regrets her choices and seeks to mend their friendship. She carries heavy guilt over a past mistake that destroyed her relationship with her ex-boyfriend. Because her father financially abandoned her, she relies entirely on the protection of others to survive at the university.

Rosamund is a Blue high-citizen addicted to the recreational drug Bliss. She displays an intense, destructive jealousy regarding anyone who approaches her twin brother or Jack Carroway. Using her high-caste status and wealth, she subjects low-citizen students to psychological warfare and physical humiliation without fear of legal consequences. Her cruelty stems from the same abusive upbringing she shares with her twin.

Bruce is a Green Representative in the government who champions the controversial Bliss Prohibition Act. A former aspiring jazz musician, he uses his political power to fight for the rights of low-citizens against the dominant Blue caste. His crusade makes his entire family a target for violent reprisals from angry Bliss users and wealthy drug manufacturers. He firmly believes that meaningful change requires heavy personal sacrifices.

Jack is a Green low-citizen who grew up in an orphanage before Edmund Prew took him in. He struggles with alcohol addiction following a painful betrayal by his former girlfriend, Charlotte. Despite his low-caste status, he wears a special Aegis ring that grants him exceptional privileges and immunity from standard behavior laws. He serves as a fiercely loyal defender of his inner circle.

Irene is a Blue high-citizen and heiress to the Rapture corporation, the largest manufacturer of the drug Bliss. She expects to marry Edmund Prew in a transactional arrangement designed to trade her family's Vanguard relics for his family's status. Enraged by the recent Bliss ban, she actively hunts down the children of the politicians who supported the legislation. She views any low-citizen in Edmund's orbit as a direct insult to her pride.

Dickie is a 15-year-old Orange intellectual prodigy belonging to Edmund's entourage. Because he is a minor, the state requires him to travel with a robotic Pinkie that monitors his behavior. He grew up in an orphanage alongside Jack before Edmund adopted them into his wealthy lifestyle. He acts as an observant, slightly cynical source of information about campus politics and Blue traditions.

Harrison is a pragmatic Green low-citizen preparing to marry Loredana's sister. He belongs to the entourage of a Blue student named Lily Burton, a position that requires him to prioritize his patron's orders over his own friendships. He understands the ruthless nature of Grandmaster University and advises others to make difficult compromises to survive.

Vivian is Loredana's older sister and a Green low-citizen. She possesses a vast collection of valuable historical Vanguard badges. She strongly opposes her father's political crusades, correctly predicting that his actions will paint a target on the entire family.

Hillaire is Loredana's younger sister. She became highly risk-averse after surviving a severe boating accident that cost her her hand. She begs her family members to avoid political controversy, fearing that they will be killed by the vengeful Blues.

Phillipa is the Headmistress of Grandmaster University and the mother of Edmund and Rosamund. She views her children as political assets and demands absolute obedience from them. She frequently employs physical violence to punish her son for showing sympathy toward low-citizens.

Vincent is a Green student who initially suffers from severe Bliss withdrawal. After he stops taking the drug, he attempts to apologize for his past aggression and reform his behavior. He fiercely protects his reckless younger brother.

William is a hot-headed Green student whose constant behavior infractions keep him on the verge of arrest. He frequently insults high-citizens, lacking the caution necessary to survive in the Civilized World.

Arthur is a Purple police officer, or Copper, who maintains a strong sense of ethics. Unlike many corrupt officers on the force, he risks his own life to help low-citizens escape unprovoked attacks from the elite caste.

Jerome is an Orange professor at Grandmaster University and the son of a famous tech mogul. He holds a scandalous reputation among the student body. He closely monitors Loredana's progress and eventually offers her an unexpected arrangement to restore her standing.

Charles is a deceased Blue high-citizen who violently assaulted Loredana in a locker room after she defeated him in a fencing bout. The courts erased all public records of his crime to protect his wealthy family's reputation.

Mrs. Waldsten is the mother of the three Waldsten sisters and Bruce's wife. She provides quiet, steady support to her daughters as they face the dangerous fallout of her husband's political career.