It all started just because of his curiosity. Yes! There was no special reason on Elias’ part why he decided to buy Chise Hatori and spend millions of his money. It was just another moment of I want it, I buy it for the ancient mage. However, his reason gradually became more meaningful as Elias and Chise get to spend more time together.
The Ancient Magus’ Bride season one opened with Chise signing a contract. This contract contained information about her selling herself into the black market. Chise Hatori is a 15-year-old high school student who wanted to climb off a building which basically means she no longer wants to live. She was deprived of the life she deserved. Hence, it greatly affected her and how she perceives life. However, Seth Noel, an auctioneer from the black market, approached her and offer her a better deal, rather than dying.
Without thinking much of her life’s significance, Chise Hatori agreed to it and went along with Seth. In episode one of season one, we see her officially signing the contract and then being chained up to prepare her for the auction. We also witnessed Noel asking her if she is sure about the choice she had made. She was silent all throughout the first minutes of the episode. She was pale, sad, and alone. A complete definition of someone who is about to become a slave and does not wish to live.
However, everyone started murmuring inside the halls where the auction is taking place because the man who’ll change her life entered and went straight onto the stage. For those who have watched the series, they know that Elias is a very sweet and kind person… if he is a person. But, at the beginning of the series, it was not only his looks that look monstrous but also his aura. He was violent at first and constantly pulls the chain around the neck of Chise treating her as a literal slave.
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In fact, their transaction went smoothly as if Noel knows who Elias is. Noel referred to Elias as the real deal. Elias Ainsworth is an ancient mage who doesn’t usually go out due to his allegedly hating the presence of others. He is called a half-baked monster and human because of his appearance. After the auction, they magically arrived at Elias’ place after he transported them through his magic. He released her from the chains and eventually from all her miseries.
What Did Elias Gain after Buying Chise?
He gained a family. Elias bought Chise out of mere curiosity. Elias Ainsworth is a powerful mage known among all kinds of faes or neighbors. As a mage, he tends to do magical experiments, such as preparing potions. In episode one of season one, before even officially buying Chise he already announced that he will make her his apprentice or as he calls her his puppy.
Sleigh beggies are known as magical beings who possess a body that can manifest and absorb a large amount of magical energy. However, this kind of gift is not something we can call a blessing from above because of its consequence. As fans get amazed every time Chise uses her abilities, little do we know that it is already sucking the life out of her.
In episode four of season one, Mikhail Renfred and Alica Swayne revealed Elias’ true intention on why he bought and kept Chise. And no, it was not because he wanted her to be his apprentice.
Mikhail and Alice are sorcerers who wanted to save Chise from Elias assuming she is his captive. They explained to her that Elias’ only bought her to satiate his own curiosity and the proof of that is the necklace he gave her which has a tracker on it. However, five episodes were enough to show how deep their relationship grow.
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Before Mikhail destroys her necklace, Chise freed herself and told them that he will never leave Elias until he tells him to. Elias is the first person who held her hand and treated her as family. Yes, she was bought as a slave, but Elias was too nice as a master that she felt included as his family. She feels love and care whenever she is with him which was more than enough for her.
Moreover, by spending millions, or as Elias referred to as a clean money worth five million pounds. Elias gained more than just a slave or a sleigh beggy. Through Chise he gained a puppy, apprentice, housemate, friend, fiance, and most of all, a family. Chise was able to give Elias something he didn’t ever experience for the last centuries. Yes, she bought Chise Hatori out of curiosity. But all of his reasons altered after getting to know her more.
Chise Hatori is not just Elias’ Slave nor Apprentice
Chise’s position in Elias’ life develops and changes as their story goes on. However, one thing remains the same. Elias Ainsworth bought Chise to see if he could extend her life since sleigh beggies do not live that much compared to them or to humans. In beginning, Chise was fine with her having a short life, she didn’t think much of it.
But, when she found new friends and family… when she met Elias, everything changed. She expressed her fear of dying and leaving all of them behind. Hence, Elias constantly reassures her that he will find a way to extend her lifespan.
Elias’ determination to cure her is no longer for the reason of experiments, but rather because of his attachment to her. When Chise almost sacrificed her life in order to save one of her dragon friends, Elias wasn’t pleased with her actions. In episode twenty of season one, Elias showed how much he worries about her when Chise asked if she was a burden to him.
He emphasizes that Chise doesn’t realize that she is in much worst shape and still worries about others. When the two of them talk about how Chise almost sacrificed herself for the dragon, a hint of anger was sensed in Elias’ voice. Chise explained her side and he understood her. That’s how big the development of their relationship went. She even asked Elias to help him find a cure to stop her from dying.
Elias, will you help this stupid idiot [to] think of a way that the two of us can stay next to each other?
Chise Hatori to Elias Ainsworth in Season One Episode Twenty
Chise found her own purpose in life and that is all because of Elias, and vice versa. Hence, dying is no longer an easy choice for the sleigh beggy. The thought of Chise being bought as a slave for millions and now being treated special like how she must be treated is still unbelievably heartwarming. Hopefully, the two of them will find a way to cure her. Because like many fairytales we have out there, Elias and Chise also deserve their happy ending.
