7 Unsettling Truths About Elias Ainsworth: The Ancient Magus' Bride's Thorn Mage Update (2025)

Elias Ainsworth remains one of the most enigmatic and compelling characters in modern fantasy, a figure whose very existence straddles the line between the human world and the realm of the fae. As of December 12, 2025, the narrative surrounding this mysterious Magus continues to evolve, especially with the anticipation for new manga content and the ever-present hope for a third anime season.

The latest updates, including the upcoming release of *The Ancient Magus' Bride* Volume 22 in Japan on April 8, 2025, promise to delve even deeper into the psyche and origins of the "Thorn Mage." Understanding Elias requires peeling back layers of complex mythology, forbidden magic, and a desperate, almost childlike quest for human emotion alongside his apprentice and future bride, Chise Hatori.

Elias Ainsworth: The Thorn Mage's Complete Profile

Elias Ainsworth is not merely a central character; he is the nexus of the entire *Mahoutsukai no Yome* (The Ancient Magus' Bride) story. His identity is a patchwork of contradictions—a powerful, ancient being who struggles with the most fundamental human concepts like love and loneliness. His profile highlights the unique blend of monster and mentor that defines him.

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• Full Name: Elias Ainsworth (エリアス・エインズワース, Eriasu Einzuwāsu)
• Primary Alias: The Thorn Mage (Thorn)
• Secondary Aliases: Pilum Murialis (Wall Spear), Shadow, The Ancient Magus
• Species: Chimera (A being composed of both fae and human elements, often described as a failed experiment to become human. His composition is speculated to include various animal parts, such as a cow, ram, antelope, and fish)
• Occupation: Magus (Mage), Teacher/Master to Chise Hatori
• Affiliations: The College (The Alchemist's College), The British Isles
• Master: Rahab (The Bone Magus)
• Key Relationships: Chise Hatori (Apprentice/Bride-to-be/Sleigh Beggy), Ruth (Familiar/Black Dog), Silky (House Fairy/Banshee)
• Age: Unknown, but considered ancient (likely centuries old)
• Powers & Abilities: Shadow Magic, Destructive Magic, Elemental Manipulation, Size Alteration, Transformation (True Form), Teleportation

The Terrifying Reality of Elias's True Form and Forbidden Powers

Elias’s iconic appearance—a towering figure with a skull-like head and prominent horns—is itself a form of self-imposed camouflage. His true identity is far more unsettling, placing him in a category of being that is feared by both the human world and the Fae. This ambiguity is the source of his immense power and his profound loneliness.

1. The Chimera Identity: Neither Fae Nor Human

Elias is a chimera, a creature that is fundamentally incomplete in the eyes of the magical world. He is a being made of both fae and human magic, a mixture that leaves him hated and rejected by both sides of the veil. This is why he is often referred to as a "Shadow"—a creature born from the shadows of the forest who cannot fully belong to any one realm.

2. The Beast-Like Transformation

When his emotional control snaps or he unleashes his full power, Elias shifts into his terrifying true form. This transformation sees him grow taller and thinner, adopting a more beast-like appearance complete with a collar of black feathers, sharp claws, and a tail. This form is a physical manifestation of his destructive potential and his lack of a true, stable identity, reinforcing the theory that he may be related to the mythological Wendigo or an amalgamation of various beasts.

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3. Mastery Over Shadow and Destructive Magic

As a Magus, Elias specializes in elemental and shadow magic with a strong leaning towards destruction. His ability to manipulate shadows allows him to hide in the shadows of other beings, such as Chise, making him nearly impossible to track. He can also use powerful curses and dark magic, a testament to his ancient, untamed nature. His destructive power is so great that he must constantly restrain it, lest he accidentally harm his surroundings or Chise.

4. The Pilum Murialis Title

The title "Pilum Murialis," or "Wall Spear," is a reference to his role as a barrier between the magical and human worlds. This title is not a compliment, but a designation that signifies his function as a solitary, dangerous entity who protects the boundary, much like a spear embedded in a wall. This reflects the constant tension between his desire for integration and his inherent isolation.

Elias and Chise: The Future of the Sleigh Beggy and the Magus

The core of *The Ancient Magus' Bride* is the complex, often fraught, relationship between Elias and his apprentice, Chise Hatori. Elias purchased the young Sleigh Beggy with the intention of making her his bride and a pupil, primarily because she is a rare, powerful magical resource. However, their dynamic has since evolved into a genuine, if unconventional, love story.

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5. The Exchange of Humanity and Magic

Their relationship is a profound exchange: Elias teaches Chise the intricacies of magic, helping her harness the power of a Sleigh Beggy, a rare human with an immense, volatile magical capacity. In return, Chise teaches Elias about human emotions, empathy, and the concept of a soul. This mutual dependency is what drives much of the series' drama, as Elias struggles to move beyond his initial, transactional view of Chise.

6. The Threat of Cartaphilus and The College Arc

The challenges faced by Elias and Chise have only intensified in the recent arcs, particularly since their confrontation with the immortal alchemist Cartaphilus (Joseph). The events of the series, especially those covered in the second anime season, saw them integrate more deeply into the magical community through The College. This move forces Elias to confront his own nature and his lack of understanding of human connection in a more social, structured environment, far from the isolation of his cottage with Ruth and Silky.

7. What the 2025 Manga and Future Anime Hold

The upcoming release of Volume 22 in 2025 and the strong anticipation for a Season 3 (speculated for late 2026 or 2027) will undoubtedly continue to explore Elias's journey toward true humanity. The latest manga chapters have focused on the consequences of their actions, the deepening of their bond, and the mysteries surrounding Elias's ancient master, Rahab. Fans are eagerly awaiting an official announcement for the continuation of the anime, which will bring the next chapters of Elias's emotional development—and the full extent of his destructive power—to the screen.