Lindel, having heard Chise struggles to control her magic, decides it is time she makes her wand from Uncle Nevins tree, though he insists she come alone. Chise worries about being separated from Elias, but she and Ruth travel to the land of dragons without him. After meeting Lindel, Chise sets about finding a suitable branch to become her wand. Back home Elias is noticeably upset at Chise’s absence, remarking that the house feels colder without her. Via a magical messenger bird Elias speaks with Adolf Stroud, an administrator from The College wanting to talk about Chise’s future. Lindel tells Chise how he first met Elias hundreds of years ago walking through a snowy forest alone. He took him to his master, Rahab, who is also unable to identify what he is. Elias himself cannot remember anything about where he came from except for the colour red. Rahab decides Lindel should take him as his apprentice and names him Elias Ainsworth. Renfred interrupts Elias’ conversation with Adolf and bluntly informs him that he will ruin her if he continues to do nothing more than simply let Chise live with him.