Magic used to be widely accessible, it used to be a thread of the universe to be harnessed

by anyone able. The catch was that everytime magic was cast, the spring of energy
depleted. After Arcan is harnessed, the magic energy turns into it’s solid form, Arcanium.
The process went Arcan -> spell -> Arcanium. The more powerful the spell, the more
Arcanium was left. Although this process was not “oh look now we have Arcanium”. The
harnessed Arcan bleeds into the earth where it coalesces into Arcanium after about a year.
Arcanium can be mined and harnessed in a special concoction called Arca. It is a mixture of
liquid Arcanium and some certain catalysts, activators, etc. that unleashes one’s magical
ability. The recipe is a guarded secret. Although, Arca is not needed to cast cantrips as they
harness such an infinitesimal amount of Arcan that the trace amounts remaining is enough.
A long/short rest (some exceptions) does not replenish spell slots; the only way to get your
spell slots for the day is to consume a vial of Arca. It is unknown whether Arcanium can
return to Arcan, but all research was halted by a crime mob called “The Shadow Web”. The
Shadow Web controls the mining, manufacturing, and distribution of Arca. This business is
so profitable that their power skyrocketed past any established government/authority/etc.
They do not openly control anything, but rather work from behind the scenes (even though
everybody knows whats happening).