Magic-Related Falsities

Magic-related falsities refer to inaccuracies between known information about a concept or entity in magic and its true nature. These errors are often used by magicians in a variety of ways, from eluding deeper research about a magic spell's mechanics to concealing the true identity of a magical artifact. Due to the intellectual nature of magic, falsifying information is sometimes vital in the survival of magicians in the world of Toaru Majutsu no Index.

Principles
There are various different types of falsities present in the Magic side, and various different reasons for these falsities. These may have arisen by accident, the result of a lack of accurate information and speculation by uninvolved parties, or they may have been engineered on purpose, to deceive enemies, to lead them on wild goose chases and prevent them from finding the truth, to make something seem more or less than it actually is, or perhaps even without a purpose at all.

Battles between magicians are often battles of intellect - if a magician understands the principles on which their opponent's magic operates, they can put together countermeasures which can render their opponent's magic ineffective. In order to prevent enemies from figuring out the principles of their Magic and finding a way to counter it, magicians sometimes employ deception, using false information and decoys to mislead foes, leading them away from the truth.

There are various cases where factions conceal details concerning their magic and spiritual items, and due to a lack of viable information, inaccuracies, rumors and false information can also develop around them, much like Urban Legends. These can be left alone or deliberately spread, in order to aid in hiding the truth.

In some cases, what might have originally been a falsity may be taken as truth and developed so far that it becomes far more than just a mere falsity. An example of this would be the Rosicrucian movement which forms the foundation of modern Western magic. Though it began with a false book written by a single person, magicians developed it beyond the falsity and Rosicrucianism grew into something much more, such that when the original author revealed the truth of the lie he was completely ignored.