TV-Series
Description
Ashaf is one of the central characters in The Witch and the Beast, serving as a First-Class Mage and a member of the Order of Magical Resonance. He is a tall, slender man with delicate features, pale skin, and short black hair that is almost always slicked back. His light-colored eyes are often framed by dark circles and thick black lashes, giving him a somewhat tired or enigmatic appearance. He is rarely seen without a cigarette in his mouth, and his left ear is pierced with a chain earring. Perhaps his most striking visual trait is the large coffin he carries strapped to his back, which is known to contain the true, bestial form of his partner, Guideau. He typically dresses in stylish, dark-colored suits, often consisting of long-sleeved shirts, coats, and other black garments that contribute to his ominous and gothic aesthetic.

In sharp contrast to his volatile and aggressive partner, Ashaf possesses a calm, mature, and gentlemanly personality. He is soft-spoken, polite, and patient, preferring to avoid unnecessary conflict and approaching most situations with a measured and cautious hand. He often sports a knowing smile and carries an enigmatic aura, which can sometimes make him seem slightly untrustworthy or shady despite his courteous demeanor. Ashaf has a playful, dry sense of humor and enjoys teasing Guideau, taking her frequent insults and threats in stride with amusement. He is highly intelligent and exceptionally good at reading people and situations, which makes him the de facto leader of the duo, handling the investigative aspects of their missions. While he is confident in his abilities as a mage and proud of his position in the Order, he is also aware of his limitations and typically provides support rather than direct frontline combat.

Ashaf's primary motivation is intertwined with his partnership with Guideau. He has agreed to help her hunt down the witch who cursed her, a mission that drives her relentless pursuit. The reason for Ashaf's own dedication to hunting witches is not deeply elaborated upon, but his role in the Order of Magical Resonance involves solving instances of magic misuse and dealing with rogue witches. He seems genuinely intrigued by Guideau, referring to her cursed form as a rare creature, and has taken on a personal mission to guide and teach her about the world, going so far as to say he wants to teach her what love is. His motivations appear to be a mixture of professional duty, personal curiosity, and a genuine, if ambiguous, care for his partner's well-being.

Within the story, Ashaf acts as the brains and the handler to Guideau's brawn. While Guideau is quick to rush into a fight, Ashaf remains in the background, using his magic for reconnaissance, defense, and support. He is the one who interacts with clients, gathers information, and formulates plans, keeping his partner on a figurative leash to prevent her from causing unnecessary chaos. The duo travels from town to town, often arriving to solve a problem caused by a witch, and their dynamic is a classic example of a calm, composed strategist paired with a feral, impulsive fighter.

The most significant relationship in Ashaf's life is with his partner, Guideau. Their partnership began when Ashaf was sent on a mission and encountered the cursed girl. Their initial meeting was hostile, but after seeing her true form, Ashaf became intrigued and offered her a deal to join the Order so he could help her find the witch she seeks. Since then, Ashaf has acted as a mentor and handler, patiently enduring her harsh nature while teaching her about social norms and controlling her impulses. Despite Guideau's frequent annoyance and threats, Ashaf remains unflappable and is one of the few people she trusts, even allowing him physical contact on missions. While Guideau largely views him as a partner, Ashaf's feelings are more complex; he has admitted that Guideau is more important to him than his own life, but when asked if he has "special feelings" for her, he implied his emotions are more complicated and run deeper. He also maintains a caring relationship with the siblings Falvell and Owent Farmington, having rescued them and taken them under the Order's protection, and he continues to look after their well-being.

Throughout the series, Ashaf does not undergo a dramatic personality shift, but his relationship with Guideau develops significantly. He works diligently to temper her wild nature, and over the three years they have known each other, he notes that she has gradually changed. A flashback to their first meeting provides insight into how their partnership began, showing Ashaf's initial intrigue and his willingness to take a risk on the cursed being. His development is subtle, shown through his growing trust with Guideau and his unwavering commitment to her, even when she turns her anger on him after discovering he secretly tampered with her body for her own protection.

Ashaf is a highly skilled mage whose abilities are vast and varied, with a particular talent for defensive and support magic. His magical inscriptions, tattooed on both his forearms, assist him in casting spells. His most iconic ability is the summoning and manipulation of crows, which serve as his familiars. He can command swarms of these birds for reconnaissance, as body doubles, or as a means of attack. By covering one eye, he can see through the eyes of his crows, allowing him to survey large areas. He is also capable of summoning other creatures, such as a large crow for transport, a black panther, or a giant snake. Another of his signature powers is the creation and manipulation of protective barriers, which he refers to as layers, to shield himself and others from harm. He is proficient in healing magic, capable of restoring lost limbs and treating severe wounds. Ashaf is also skilled in offensive and utility spells, including matter manipulation (with a noted preference for water), magical bindings, pyrokinesis to light his cigarettes, and even mind control. One of his stated specialties is dispelling or undoing magic, a skill he claims to be better at than even a witch. While not his primary focus, he also possesses basic hand-to-hand combat skills and knows how to use a gun.