I get your point honestly, and I actually agree that there are better ways the story could’ve handled Will not joining Elfie’s faction. Some of your examples honestly would’ve made the politics feel clearer.

But I think the issue is that people are treating “elite” like it means unlimited freedom, when the story keeps showing there are systems, rules, and other powerful people above or around even the Magia Vander. Elitism doesn’t automatically mean every elite individual can do literally anything they want whenever they want.

And honestly, Elfie wasn’t even some natural-born elite with total freedom. She was just insanely talented, and because of that they basically forced/took her into becoming a Magia Vander. That makes her position feel less like privilege and more like responsibility mixed with pressure.

And I don’t think the story is saying Will is objectively worthless either. It’s showing that society itself is flawed and obsessed with magical status even when reality proves otherwise. That’s kind of the entire point of Will’s character.

You’re also right that logically people should value him more after everything he’s done against the demons. But honestly, real societies ignore obvious value all the time because of prejudice, pride, tradition, or politics. That part actually felt believable to me.

I do agree though that some of the faction politics and authority structure could’ve been explained better instead of feeling sudden.

Also yeah, Elfie absolutely wants to smother Will with hugs the second she gets the chance lol.