Błędnie: He could instigate paper and other materials by just looking at them. This phenomenon remained a mystery.

Poprawnie: He could ignite paper and other materials by just looking at them. This phenomenon remained a mystery.

Wyraz "ignite" oznacza 'zapłonąć', 'zapalić', 'zapalić się', 'spowodować  zapalenie lub wybuch'. "Instigate "  to ' podżegać', 'podjudzać'.