Birds of a feather flock together. I

'''Birds of a feather flock together. I' (羽毛の鳥は一緒に群がる. I, Umō no tori wa issho ni muragaru I) is the 2nd episode of the second season of The Ancient Magus Bride'' anime.

Synopsis
It's a day of new beginnings at the College as Chise attends her first day of classes and meets some of her fellow students, and Elias adopts a mysterious guise for his first time teaching as a visiting instructor.

Summary
Elias sporting a feminine appearance runs into a couple of students asking if she's a new teacher, and she confirms it.

On Chise's side, she lifts up the malaised student, who awakens and asks to be put down. Placed on a shady bench, Chise informs the student to take better care of herself and take any prescribed medication she may be on. The girl then claims she suffers from anxiety, so Chise gives her some tea and potpourri to help her. When asked what to pay her with, Chise asks that the student one day give her feedback and goes on her way. After Chise leaves, the student whose name was Philomea is approached by another student named Veronica, who disconcerts Philomela.

Finally meeting with Alice, it's revealed that Will o' The Wisp became her familiar in exchange for her hair that she has since cut short. As a token of their agreement, a pouch made from her hair with a piece of coal inside was given to her.

Afterward, Chise is guided to her classroom by Alice, and there she sees Philomela sitting in the classroom. Immediately after spotting her, the teacher Narcisse Maugham enters the classroom and introduces himself to everyone. He then starts the class by reviewing the basics of Sorcery and its history. Once that was finished, Narcisse informed the class they'd be doing Latin Studies before he informed Chise that she was exempt from learning Sorcery, but was expected to get high grades in the general studies.

The student sitting next to her, Veronica, introduces herself to Chise and asks that she demonstrate her Magic later. One student, mainly, gave Chise a disdainful look.

After class, Alice visits Chise's classroom, but doesn't find her there. Alice then spots Chise with a deadpan look, who claims she has a lot on her mind. Attending Elias' class with Alice, Chise overhears two students' comments about Elias' appearance. She also noticed that Renfred was also in the class, acting as an observer. Elias continues her class by explaining the background behind Magic concerning making a contract with a familiar. She also gives examples of the differences between Magic and Sorcery.

Starting things simple, Elias has the students light a candle with the help of the College "Neighbors" and then blow it out. Chise and Alice are tasked with doing it first, and despite hesitancy, they give it a go. Alice goes first, but her flame is too potent due to being upset by the students back talking her. Chise then goes next and performs it without a hitch with the help of a Salamander.

As the students try to perform their task, one of them, May, disparages the Salamander after it rejects him, which grows in size and attacks him. In his true form, Elias protects May from Salamander's flame. Elias then asks that Chise calm the Salamander down and explains why he changed his appearance for the class and what happens when you upset a Neighbor. He then asks the students who may have the magical aptitude, and after the ones who do raise their hands, Elias suggests the remainder quit while they're ahead.

After Class, Alice leads Chise where the instructors gather, but they're confronted by a student named Rian Scrimgeour who, after introducing himself, asks her to teach him Magic.