Elias Ainsworth/Synopsis

The story of Elias Ainsworth from The Ancient Magus' Bride.
== Biography ==
=== Introduction Arc ===
Ainsworth is seen walking in the streets and enters a building where he walks up to a stage inside to attend to an offer over a girl named Chise. He declares his offer; 5,000,000, putting an end to the deal and declares to Chise as her apprentice from then on. Later in a room, Elias walks up to her and orders her to stand proud instead of looking down. Chise gets flashback of his tragic past as the man asks her her name. Elias introduces himself as he reveals his face to be the skull of deer. She shouts that she has never felt fortunate as she recalls her horrible childhood. Elias reassures her that everything now will be different and transports teleportes her to his house, in a different location. Confused as to how and where she is now, the man tells her she is in England and that she is a mage’s apprentice now. Invited into her new home, Elias tries to give Chise a bath with her refusing as she can do it herself. She covers herself in embarassment as Elias prepares her bath and leaves, telling her to notify him once she is done in bathtub. She relaxes and recalls of that moment when she tried to commit suicide before Seth convinced her to sell herself to someone who appreciates her. Her moment of silence is interrutped by a group of friendly ferries who enters the window to greet her arrival. Later, she is treated with a large amount of food in the restroom of her new home where Elias answers a few of her questions, including what Sleigh Beggies are before offering her an adder stone as a necklace that protects her. At night, Elias observes Chise walking out of the house, who is guided by a fairy. Sometime later, Elias was able track down her location thanks to the necklace she gave her, chasing the fairies away. Waiting to be scold, the mage hugs Chise and carries her back home. He reminds her that she is his apprentice but also plans on making her his bride on their way back home, startling her. The next morning, Elias greets her as she introduces the servant to her. To her surprise, she has slept for two days accordingly to Elias and that she has been emotionally exhausted. Asking her if they could began to prepare their honeymoon, Elias and Chise later travel by train to a town. But to her surprise, Elias no longer has the appearance of a skeleton but rather the look of a middle-aged man as he could no wander with such appearance and used a bit of magic to alter it. Chise is brought to a book store where she is introduced to one of his friend, Angelica. Surprised, the woman that Elias has brought an apprentice, she questions the girl if Elias has done anything bizzare to her with Chise replying that she was proposed by him. The woman kicks the man out of the door out of anger and introduces herself as a mage and magus craft. Her interaction is interrupted by her daughter who shows her a glass statue she crafted. She dismisses her and continues her presentation about magic. Chise asks if she can also use magic with Angelica calling for an elemental spirit by the name of Hugo to give her a wand to practice magic. She intructs Chise before she began to use the wand. She soon finds herself in a meadow of flowers where her mother is spotted with a replica of her as a child. As her calm voice speaks her name, she is suddenly woken up by Elias who wraps his hands on Chise’s face and tells Angelica to not teach her apprentice. To her Chise’s shock, she has generated a field of ice in the shape of flowers and crystals. Chise tries to apologize with Angelica asking Elias who is she and learns that she is a sleigh beggy, which is rare among fairies. She apologizes again and with Angelica reassuring her and critizes that it is Elias’ fault for not telling them anything. She sends Chise to get a tools in the other room and spends her moments later helping Angelica in her work. On their way back home from Angelica’s workshop, Elias asks Chise if she likes poppies with Chise replying that is unsure and that she just witnessed a flower garden similar to the one they are currently in. Chise answers that she lost her mother a long time ago. Arriving home, a priest by the name of Simon greets Chise after he tells Elias that his servants does not welcome him into the house. In the restroom, Silky chats with Elias about his sudden decision of taken an apprentice after his long lifetime. Before leaving, Simon wishes Chise good luck in her study as Elias’ apprentice. Some time later, Elias brings Chise to a mountain environment known as Dragons' Aerie where she is suddenly taken away by a dragon and its owner on his back. The dragon rider points at Chise their destination, the last land of the dragons. As she surveys the area, she spots various dragons in their habitat. As the dragon lands, seemingly deposing the girl, he instead plunges her into the river. Lindel goes to check on her but sees nothing but black water. Chise sinks down a great distance into the river as she feels heavy before she swims back to the surface upon seeing the light of the sun reminding her past. As she emerges out of the river, he comes face to face with an ancient dragon, Nevin. who speaks identifies her as a young Mage and establishes a connection, upon sensing Chise's presence. Lindel, the dragon rider having found her, explains to Chise about Nevin's background and importance to the region. With warmth, Nevin welcomes Chise to the area and speaks for Elias to show himself, knowing that he has been here this whole time. Elias emerges from her shadow. Concerned about Chise's well-being due to her wet condition, Elias summons fairies to instantaneously dry her off. Elias then introduces Lindel as the Caretaker of the Dragons' Aerie, providing essential context for Chise. The playful dragon hatchlings by Lindel’s side then comes at Chise to ask her to play with them, with Lindel introducing them as Gwee, Beane, and Uil to Chise. Elias asks Lindel if anything off has been going on lately as they walk away with Lindel requesting Chise to take care of the baby dragons for him. Afterwards, the childrens bring Chise to playing beside the river before taking a nap. As the childrens fell asleep, Chise walks to Nevin and is asked by the eldery dragon if she has ever encountered a dragon before, initiating a poignant conversation about life and death among dragons. She learns about Nevin's impending transformation into a tree from the dragon trio, who woke up. Memories from her dark past resurface, and Nevin attempts to offer solace by reading and acknowledging them, though he later apologizes for the intrusion. To make amends, Nevin shares a cherished memory of soaring in the sky with Chise, alongside the dragon trio, as observed by Elias and Lindel distance. Elias and Lindel discuss about Nevin’s final moments and Chise’s future, with Elias assuring Lindel that he will do his best to raise Chise. Nevin's final moments arrive as he transforms into a tree when Chise wakes up to discover in shock the process ongoing on the dragon’s body, as a result of a seed planted by Lindel. The dragon expresses gratitude to Chise and requests Chise to fashion a wand from one of his tree branches. Elias, approaching Chise, reveal the significance of the flowers called Lindenbaum and promises to return when she is ready to craft the wand. As the group decides to leave, Chise loses consciousness, assuming by her that it is the cause of the flight she had earlier. Some time after, Chise opens her eyes and is blinded by the sunlight when Elias opens of the window beside, waking her up. Elias expresses her worries when she fell asleep with Chise apologizing and tells her that they are on the way for their next “honeymoon” destination. 
=== Ulthar Arc ===
The train's overseer then announces a visitor's arrival, and a feline named Jasper, who can communicate verbally, makes an entrance. Jasper elucidates the reasons behind his speech abilities and mentions that the Feline Monarch is awaiting them in Ulthar. At Ulthar, Chise receives a succinct overview of the land from Jasper and is abruptly confronted by another cat, Barney, who claims to be on his patrol. The group then trails the cats to the monarch's location.
During their journey, a woman concealing herself in a red-colored hood crosses paths with Chise, giving her a sharp look. Afterwards, they meet the Feline Monarch, who acknowledges their presence and expresses approval that they are not Sorcerers. Barney clarifies that Sorcerers are disliked more than Mages. The monarch then solicits Elias' assistance. A young girl named Ally questions Chise's conversation with the cats, to which Chise replies that she simply enjoys interacting with them. Ally, understanding, summons the monarch, Molly, for dinner and explains her connection to Ally. Communitcating through Chise's shadow, Elias voices his aversion to children and opts to explore the town's issue solely. Elias later updates Chise on his findings and assigns her the task of purifying the corruption. Despite her fear of disappointing Elias, Chise agrees. Meanwhile, the woman in red alongside someone else are eavesdropping their conversation. By nightfall, Chise is close to cleansing the lake with various materials and an Ariel. But the woman in red reappears and discloses to Chise her Sleigh Beggy’s destiny. While on a tree, a sorcerer from the recollections of Matthew and Mina softly hums a melody, his eyes fixed on the moonlit sky. In another location, Renfred and Elias engage in a heated discussion as Chise successfully cleanses the lake of its impurities. During this exchange, Renfred probes Elias about his reasons for acquiring Chise, while Elias inquires about Renfred's sources of information, his intentions, and the circumstances surrounding his missing arm. Before Renfred can respond, Chise interrupts by completing the purification task. Elias praises Chise for her efforts, and Renfred, along with Alice, departs but not before cautioning them about potential threats aimed at Chise. Elias subsequently provides Chise with a brief account of his past with Renfred and catches the weary Chise when she asks about her impending death. He confirms her fears but expresses his desire to avert such an outcome. They then delve into Chise's future, with Elias suggesting erasing her recent memories, which she declines, choosing instead to remain by his side until no longer needed, before succumbing to exhaustion. A fortnight later, Elias ventures into a hollow tree stump in a nearby forest, bringing food prepared by Silver, where Chise remains asleep. Soon, Simon arrives, expressing his concern for Chise. Shortly thereafter, Titania, the Fae Queen, appears with Spriggan and several black dogs. Elias introduces Titania to Simon, who mentions that her husband Oberon is absent due to his mischievous nature and that she wanted to meet Chise personally. Upon noticing Simon's clerical status, Titania banishes him from the forest. Oberon then materializes by Chise's side, showing immediate fascination with her. Following a brief conversation with Elias, Oberon uses his magic to awaken Chise, introducing her to the King and Queen of the Fae. Their discussion is interrupted when Oberon bombards them with personal inquiries, leading Spriggan, under Titania's command, to order the dogs to subdue Oberon.
Before departing with her husband, Titania extends an invitation to visit her realm, though Spriggan revokes it specifically towards Elias due to his so-called-half-shell nature. While heading back home, Chise and Elias encounter Simon, who must leave shortly after. Chise expresses her hope for the success of Elias' experiment, and he reassures her before they return home. Once home, Silver serves to Chise and Elias some meals. A recognized spellcaster and Renfred disagree about an assignment given by the magician to Renfred. In Elias' residence, Chise endeavors to brew a nightmare-repelling potion for an elderly woman living nearby, aided by various mystical beings. Instead, she concocts a powerful sleep potion.
=== Black Dog Arc ===
Chise's thoughts reveal Elias is now dedicated to instructing his young pupil in sorcery. Chise and Elias embark on a mission from the Church to determine if the black dog poses a threat. During their journey, Chise questions why the Church assigns him tasks, and Elias explains it's due to a past error, and in return for their leniency, he fulfills their requests. He then presents Chise with a ring from Angie, designed to slow her natural magic production, helping her condition as a Sleigh Beggy. Chise reads Angie's letter and dons the ring.
Continuing their journey, Elias expresses his desire for Chise to have a Familiar to manage her surplus magic and serve her. Upon arrival, they find a crowd gathered around a police investigation of a mauled body. Elias lets Chise explore alone. In a nearby graveyard, Chise is ambushed by an evil entity before getting saved by a man who mistakes her for a woman named Isabel. Despite his injuries, the stranger warns Chise to flee before passing out. Although she wishes to help him, he comments on her resemblance to Isabel and then morphs into a big black canine. Alice observes the incident secretly.
The ebony canine tries to move, but Chise holds him back, worried about his condition. When he faints, Chise notices his wounds are similar to those on a mauled victim. Alice demands that Chise surrender the black dog, but Chise uses a sleep elixir to subdue Alice. The dark canine dreams about his previous owner, Isabel, revealing his name as Ulysse. Upon awakening, Ulysse talks about Isabel and notes Chise's likeness to her. During their dialogue, Chise discovers that Isabel is deceased and that Ulysse is confused about who he is. As Alice describes the child, Chise shields her from the Chimera’s strike. The child rejoices in hitting Chise, viewing her as an experimental subject. Enraged, Elias transforms into a monstrous, spiky form. Chise regains consciousness in Elias' terrifying embrace after being knocked out. Elias drops her and engages in combat with the child's Chimera while Ulysse tries to revive Chise. Her touch triggers visions of Ulysse's past with Isabel and her tragic end before she awakens. Elias vanquishes the Chimera, causing Cartaphilus, the boy, to feel sorrow and fury. Cartaphilus reacts when Elias calls him by his true name.
As a confrontation is imminent, Chise intervenes to restrain Elias, and Renfred shoots Cartaphilus in the head. He settles down afterward and has to keep Chise from using her magic recklessly until she forged a contract with Ruth, and they drove Joseph off. After returning home, Elias has trouble with his beast form for a few days afterward in stabilizing it until Chise seeks him out and confesses she wants to know more about him when Lindel's familiar appears to tell him that Chise has to go pick up her wand alone. Left waiting for her return, Elias copes with the feeling of loneliness for the first time when he receives a messenger bird from Renfred telling Elias to let Chise know about the College, but he destroys it and has Silky bury the remains in the garden. 
After Chise found herself near death due to exhausting her magic after creating Fairy Ointment, Elias took her into the Land of the Fae to recover. He has an audience with Titania, where he rejects her offer to reside in that world along with Chise. When Stella crossed paths with Chise and Elias, she begged them to help find her young brother Ethan, who got lost in the snowy forest. They discovered that Ashen Eyes had kidnapped the kid and he also took Elias hostage as well. After Chise and Stella rescued Ethan and Elias from Ashen Eyes, the two quickly became friends. Their friendship caused Elias to become envious.
Category:Synopsis