Elias Ainsworth

Elias Ainsworth (エリアス・エインズワース, Eriasu Einzuwāsu) is a sorcerer and one of the main protagonist. He is a being made of both fae and human elements, though his origins are a mystery. He is Chise Hatori's purchaser, magic teacher, and potential husband.

Appearance
In his most common form, Elias Ainsworth is a bipedal humanoid with a horned skull in place of a face and with glowing red in the sockets of his eyes. He is much taller than humans, with the average human reaching to his chest. His neck is the only part that shows skin, of which is purple in colour. Chise mentions that his eyes change depending on his emotions.

He wears a three piece suit: a black suit jacket that flows to his knees with long embroidered sleeves, paired with a blue vest and white undershirt.

A black stone bolo necktie tucks just beneath his collar, it was gifted to him by the one who gave him his name.

His horns are adorned with a wrapping string of gold that hangs to his neck and connects to a red cloth. When outside, he will often pull the red cloth behind his head over his face.

With magic, he is able to change his appearance to that of a human, with two tufts of hair that spiral into a horn-like shape.

His true form takes on an appearance more akin to a beast. He's taller, though thinner, taking on a collar of black feathers. He gains a tail and claws. A tattered black cloak appears to drape against his back, though seem to be a part of his body. Thin thorns twist in every direction, an additional pair of horns curve toward his face, and a series of ribs curl around his chest.

Personality
Though polite and kind, Elias is noted to be extremely eccentric and reclusive because of his inability to relate to humans. This is best shown in his early interactions with Chise, where the obvious taboo of proposing to a child, and the concern this elicits from others for obvious reasons, is lost on him. It is also implied that he was previously in possession of a cold and antagonistic personality, only recently offset by his gradual closeness with others.

Elias is underdeveloped emotionally. He understands emotions through one-sided observations as if only knowing them by definition and never experiencing them himself. He describes his emotions in a physical sense, like the twisting in his chest, and the cold of Chise's absence. Despite his usual calm and stoicism, endangerment to Chise's well-being is enough to send him into a rage and seems to be the only thing capable of such.

Though he seems to care for his apprentice, he remains ambiguous as to what his true feelings for her are. He says he does not lie but keeps his intentions shrouded by leaving out information and goes through the effort of keeping his past hidden. But despite a few instances of malice, he has a number of child-like tendencies, including throwing tantrums. Despite this, he is very willing to amend his wrongdoings, and while his exact actions are in explicit he regularly does deeds for the church as recompense.

Background
The only memories from his past are the colour red and the recollection of eating humans. His first memory is waking in a forest. He had decided to walk, wandering in the snow and avoiding humans until he collapsed in front of Lindel. Lindel takes him to his master, Rahab, who decides to give him his current name, and persuades Lindel to take him on as a magic apprentice. From there, he begins learning magic from Lindel while living a nomad life caring for caribou. An unknown gap of time between these events, Lindel and Elias separate, and Elias finds himself in Britain doing various odd jobs for the church.

He bought Chise because his acquaintances began to pressure him to help raise the next generation despite the fact he was not human. His only interest was to observe the human mind. His original intention was to buy a child and keep his distance while observing, but Chise followed him more readily than he anticipated.

Skills and Abilities
Elias Ainsworth is a magician whose skills specialize with shadow. He can hide in the shadows of other beings such as Chise, and can also produce thorns, earning him the names "Child of Thorn" (or just Thorn) and "Pilum Murialis". He is also able to shapeshift.

Chise Hatori
Chise has come to be a teacher to Elias when it comes to his own emotions and actions, and though he is only slowly coming to realize the concept of affection, Elias is struck with worry and loneliness when Chise is away.

Bought during an auction to be his apprentice. Chise is also Elias' fiance, though only as a result of Elias's poor understanding of what exactly a bride is. Afterwards, their proposal is treated only in a comical manner and is eventually disregarded entirely. Over the series, Chise has been shown to recognize Elias' expressions, even though his face is not more than a skull with flickering red lights.

Lindenbaum
Elias' mentor and arguably first friend. Linden nursed Elias when he collapsed in front of him centuries ago. They travelled with reindeer together, though, at some point, they lost contact and Elias moved to Britain.

Cartaphilus
They both antagonize one another. Cartaphilus seems to know more about Elias compared to the rest of the cast.

Rahab
Original owner of the bolo necktie Elias tends to wear. The one who gave him his name.

Angelica Barlei
Angelica knew Elias when she was young. Because she asked, he made her teddy bears as Christmas gifts. He continues to do so for Angelica's daughter.