Adolph Stroud is a sorcerer who works as an administrative clerk at the College, a prestigious institution for mages and sorcerers. He has the appearance of a young man in his early twenties, characterized by pale blonde or white hair that he often keeps in a ponytail with a hairband, and he typically wears glasses. Despite his youthful look, Stroud is much older than he appears, possessing a form of longevity that he gained from his training as a former pupil of the dragon Lindel. He was born in the German town of Dresden, and his parents were doctors who felt he lacked the talent to continue the family tradition, leading to him being frequently scolded for his grades during his youth. He left Dresden before the Second World War and met Lindel in 1940; when he later returned home, he found everything destroyed, a loss that left him with deep regrets.

Stroud is characterized as a cordial and well-grounded individual, though he carries a sense of seriousness about his duties. He once aspired to become a magus like his teacher Lindel, but he was unable to achieve this dream due to his mediocre talent, a failure that haunts him. This regret informs his personality, making him a somewhat melancholic figure who appreciates what he has lost. He is shown to be a loyal friend and colleague, notably sharing drinks with Mikhail Renfred, whom he respects deeply and calls senpai. Stroud often finds himself dealing with Renfred's emotional drunken episodes, a task he endures with resigned patience.

Within the story, Stroud serves as a key figure at the College, acting as a guide and liaison for new arrivals. He is the one who formally invites Chise Hatori to attend the institution, offering her an education in exchange for the opportunity to study her unique physiology as a Sleigh Beggy. He also arranges for Elias Ainsworth to become a visiting instructor so that he and Chise would not be separated. Stroud harbors some uncertainties and fear regarding Elias, given the magus's mysterious and non-human nature. However, because they share a connection as former students of Lindel, Stroud makes a concerted effort to understand and connect with Elias. He uses a bird familiar to convey important matters to Elias and takes on the role of offering him advice, particularly about the nature of memory and the importance of seeking knowledge from various sources.

Stroud's role is primarily that of a supportive figure and a bridge between different characters. His key relationships include his former master Lindel, his respected senior Mikhail Renfred, and Elias Ainsworth, whom he tries to guide despite his own apprehensions. He demonstrates a capacity for growth, particularly in his interactions with Elias. During a conversation in the College arc, Elias notes that Stroud is afraid of him, a truth Stroud admits. He confesses that his fear is not limited to Elias alone, implying a broader anxiety about the world and his place within it. In this same conversation, Stroud advises Elias that the world is changing and that he should ask questions of many different people to receive a variety of answers, showing a philosophical side shaped by his long life and personal losses. He laments his own limitations, stating after a dragon-related incident that if he cannot handle even menial tasks, he has no place at the College, which underscores his serious and self-critical nature. While Stroud possesses longevity, his abilities as a sorcerer are not depicted as exceptional, and his primary function is more administrative and relational than one of powerful magical feats.