OVA
Description
Elias Ainsworth is a mage of ambiguous origin, combining fae and human elements without a clearly defined nature. His earliest memories involve consuming humans and wandering a forest before collapsing in a snowstorm. Discovered by the mage Lindel, Elias was nursed back to health. Lindel's master, Rahab, named him "Elias" and encouraged Lindel to take him as an apprentice. This began centuries of nomadic life where Elias learned magic while tending reindeer. Eventually, he parted ways with Lindel and moved to Britain, undertaking tasks for the Church.
His typical appearance manifests as a towering bipedal humanoid crowned by a wolf skull head with goat horns, glowing red light emanating from the eye sockets. Dark purple skin is visible only on his neck. He commonly wears a three-piece suit, a blue-stone bolo tie (a gift from Rahab), and a red cloth draped over his horns. When agitated or emotionally unstable, his form shifts into a taller, thinner monstrous version featuring black feathers, claws, a tail, thorns, additional horns, and a tattered cloak fused to his body. He uses magic to adopt human disguises, often mimicking the appearances of individuals he knows, like Chise Hatori or Simon Callum, though maintaining these requires conscious effort.
Elias exhibits a reclusive and aloof personality, struggling to relate to humans due to an inability to naturally experience or comprehend emotions. He intellectually studies human behavior, adopting gentlemanly mannerisms as a coping mechanism, yet frequently misinterprets social nuances. Childlike tendencies surface during frustration, including tantrums, and he openly dislikes children for their ability to perceive his true nature. Despite outward politeness, he conceals intentions through omissions and harbors possessiveness, particularly toward Chise. Her endangerment often triggers intense rage, revealing limited emotional regulation. Over time, he develops attachments to a small circle including Chise, Simon, and Angelica Varley, though his actions remain driven by self-interest—such as nearly sacrificing Stella Barklem to transfer a curse from Chise—highlighting moral ambiguity.
His magical expertise centers on shadow manipulation and destructive spells, earning him epithets like "Pilum Murialis" (Wall Spear) or "Child of Thorns." He teleports via incantations, merges with or traverses shadows, conjures protective or offensive thorns, and alters memories. Shapeshifting extends beyond human forms; he can split into two weaker entities, one retaining his consciousness in a dog-like body. Additional abilities include teleportation, elemental magic, and heightened physical strength, though prolonged use of his monstrous form causes instability and exhaustion.
Character development unfolds through his relationship with Chise, whom he purchases as an apprentice and future bride. Initially viewing her as a means to understand human emotions, he grows dependent on her presence, experiencing loneliness during her absences. Protective instincts escalate to extremes, like imprisoning her or endangering others, forcing confrontations about his morality. Key turning points include rejecting Titania’s offers of sanctuary in the fairy realm to remain with Chise, acknowledging jealousy as a genuine emotion, and informally exchanging rings with her after rescuing her from Joseph. Later, as a professor at the College, he continues navigating human connections, though struggles with emotional transparency persist.
Fan theories speculate about his origins, suggesting ties to a Wendigo—a cannibalistic entity from Native American folklore—due to his snowy first encounter with Lindel, history of consuming humans, and bestial forms. Alternative proposals include him being a successful chimera or artificial hybrid, though neither is confirmed in official media. Trivia notes his height (200 cm), Scandinavian name pronunciation, and inability to sleep supine due to his horns.
His typical appearance manifests as a towering bipedal humanoid crowned by a wolf skull head with goat horns, glowing red light emanating from the eye sockets. Dark purple skin is visible only on his neck. He commonly wears a three-piece suit, a blue-stone bolo tie (a gift from Rahab), and a red cloth draped over his horns. When agitated or emotionally unstable, his form shifts into a taller, thinner monstrous version featuring black feathers, claws, a tail, thorns, additional horns, and a tattered cloak fused to his body. He uses magic to adopt human disguises, often mimicking the appearances of individuals he knows, like Chise Hatori or Simon Callum, though maintaining these requires conscious effort.
Elias exhibits a reclusive and aloof personality, struggling to relate to humans due to an inability to naturally experience or comprehend emotions. He intellectually studies human behavior, adopting gentlemanly mannerisms as a coping mechanism, yet frequently misinterprets social nuances. Childlike tendencies surface during frustration, including tantrums, and he openly dislikes children for their ability to perceive his true nature. Despite outward politeness, he conceals intentions through omissions and harbors possessiveness, particularly toward Chise. Her endangerment often triggers intense rage, revealing limited emotional regulation. Over time, he develops attachments to a small circle including Chise, Simon, and Angelica Varley, though his actions remain driven by self-interest—such as nearly sacrificing Stella Barklem to transfer a curse from Chise—highlighting moral ambiguity.
His magical expertise centers on shadow manipulation and destructive spells, earning him epithets like "Pilum Murialis" (Wall Spear) or "Child of Thorns." He teleports via incantations, merges with or traverses shadows, conjures protective or offensive thorns, and alters memories. Shapeshifting extends beyond human forms; he can split into two weaker entities, one retaining his consciousness in a dog-like body. Additional abilities include teleportation, elemental magic, and heightened physical strength, though prolonged use of his monstrous form causes instability and exhaustion.
Character development unfolds through his relationship with Chise, whom he purchases as an apprentice and future bride. Initially viewing her as a means to understand human emotions, he grows dependent on her presence, experiencing loneliness during her absences. Protective instincts escalate to extremes, like imprisoning her or endangering others, forcing confrontations about his morality. Key turning points include rejecting Titania’s offers of sanctuary in the fairy realm to remain with Chise, acknowledging jealousy as a genuine emotion, and informally exchanging rings with her after rescuing her from Joseph. Later, as a professor at the College, he continues navigating human connections, though struggles with emotional transparency persist.
Fan theories speculate about his origins, suggesting ties to a Wendigo—a cannibalistic entity from Native American folklore—due to his snowy first encounter with Lindel, history of consuming humans, and bestial forms. Alternative proposals include him being a successful chimera or artificial hybrid, though neither is confirmed in official media. Trivia notes his height (200 cm), Scandinavian name pronunciation, and inability to sleep supine due to his horns.