The Arcanum, also referred to as the Borrowed Laws of Heaven,^[1] is a book that contains 666 known spells discovered in the world of the Guilty Gear series. Six spells have been banned from the Arcanum, deemed too dangerous to be performed.

Story

Upon discovering the existence of the Backyard in the late 20th century, The Original laid the foundation for what would become the study of magic. When he realized his error in creating the Universal Will, he warned the scientific community of an incoming catastrophe, but only a few—those who came to be known as the Apostles—listened.^[2] When his prediction came to pass in form of the Dawn of Revival,^[3] only his disciples were prepared to provide swift relief to mankind.^[2]

In order to restore human civilization,^[3] they they helped the world adapt to magic. Though the early stages of magic research were difficult, the Apostles continued to push forward, expanding human knowledge of magic very quickly.^[4] The results of that process were, presumably, published in the form of the Arcanum, but the original research that led to the book's creation remains in possession of the Apostles, nowadays known as the Conclave.^[5]

Traits

Little is known about the Arcanum, only that it contains information about 666 spells, yet six of them have been banned, so in actuality there are 660 castable spells.^[5] This set of spells are known by the term of Forbidden Magic (禁呪, Kinju?), and were deemed too dangerous to attempt, or about which too little is known. They involve incredible risk, or can cause horrible side-effects for the caster.^[6] These spells are referred to as Forbidden Magic Spells^[7] or Forbidden Curses^{[1][note 1]} along with a cardinal number. Currently, only two of them are known:

• The 5th Forbidden Magic Spell (第５法? or 第五法, Daigohō?), also known as Life-Eating Shadow or Pact of the Shadows (蝕精影陣, Shokusei Eijin?), binds a Forbidden Beast to the caster's shadow, although using the shadow too much will erode the host's life force. The researcher who discovered the spell was so afraid of its effects he put a seal of protection on it that required anyone who cast it to give up their sight. It was used by Zato-ONE,^[7] who became a host to Eddie.
• The 6th Forbidden Magic Spell (第６法? or 第六法, Dairokuhō?), also called Angra (アングラ, Angura?)^[11] or Covenant of the Condemned (卑・泥獄墜法, Hi Deigokutsuihō?),^[10] is a spell that, upon casting, enables the user to freely manipulate and control their hair^[11] by paying a steep, but unknown price. It was used by Millia Rage,^[10] but it is unclear if she took the curse freely or if it was forced upon her.^[11]

Otherwise, the current contents of the Arcanum are unknown. It can be assumed, however, that many of the playable cast's abilities are based upon the spells written here. Known spells or types of magic that could be included are:

• Element generation - Simply manifesting one of the elements to appear, e.g. cause fire,^[12] or light up a small area.^[13] Most likely, Sol's Gun-Flame and Ky's Stun Edge are examples of this.
• Seal (封印, Fūin?) - Sealing is a form of magic that allows the user to imprison objects, or more commonly, people.^[14] The Barrier Prison, and its stronger form the Dimensional Prison, are magicks of this type.
• Bind (バインド, Baindo?) - This type of magic immobilizes a target in a given spot.^[15][16] Anji is able to use them.^[15]
• Barrier (防壁, Bōheki? or バリア, Baria?) - These spells enables the caster to produce a wall around something, generally used as a protective measure. The most powerful known iteration is Absolute Defense: Felion, which can only be cast by the Conclave or the Sanctus Populi.
• Float (フロート, Furōto?) - A spell that enables the caster to float in midair; it is not a difficult ability, but maintaining a state of floating through inertia and friction requires a lot of training and time to execute.^[17] That Man^[18] and Sol^[19] are capable of casting it.
• Spatial Deformation (空間歪曲, Kūkan Waikyoku?) - One of the most powerful types of magic, which can only used by those who fully grasp the theoretical underpinnings of magic and have a gift for information manipulation. Faust's abilities are believed to be of this type.^[20] Raven also seems to have a certain mastery over distortion magic.^[21]
• Matter Displacement (物質転移, Busshitsu Teni?) - Another powerful form of magic, which allows the caster to make objects appear out of thin air.^[1][22] Faust's items are the foremost example, but another user might be Baiken.
• Teleportation (瞬間移動, Shunkan Idō?) - The act of transporting living beings from one place to another almost instantaneously is possible, as demonstrated by Faust,^[23] Izuna,^[24] Chipp, and most likely May.
• Telecommunication - Another use is long-distance communication, with voices being projected through a magic circle that appears in midair. Most people rely on operators or public services, but more experienced magic wielders, like Sol or Ky, are able to use the ability on their own.^[25]
• Climate control - As in, heating or cooling a room. While adjusting the climate using magic devices is most common, it requires high levels of spell-casting to install.^[26]

Allusions

• The total amount of spells is 666, also known as the number of the beast. The reason why it was chosen might be a reference to the 1982 song "The Number of the Beast" by Iron Maiden.

Trivia

• The word arcanum is of Latin origin, and means "mystery or deep secret". It also is taken to mean "elixir or secret remedy" in English definitions of the word.
• Currently, the only depiction of the Arcanum is that of Zato-ONE using it to gain power in Guilty Gear Complete Bible.
• It is unlikely that the Soul Sinker (considered an "empty theory" before the Baptisma 13 event), Absolute Defense: Felion, Art of Resurrection (both closely guarded by the Conclave) or the Saint Oratorio (historically known only to Sol and That Man) are registered in this book.

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Notes

Citations