From what I read about ghosts in Sir Roderick’s collection, I was under the impression that they could physically manifest their bodies, but what I had seen so far suggested otherwise.

  The Wraith seemed to be just a cloud of essence—a life form comprised of pure energy. So, although it might appear solid, it was not. It was a profound revelation, but when I considered it, it kind of made sense.

  After all, life in this world could exist in many forms, not always constricted to a physical form. My past experiences on Earth preconditioned me to think about life only in terms of flesh and organs. This preconceived notion was also likely the thing that was preventing me from mastering the Element of Life.

  Furthermore, as I was carefully observing it with my magic sense, I realized it was oscillating between a tangible and intangible state at a high speed. This must have meant that their essence was operating at a different frequency than mine, which was probably why my attacks could simply phase right through it without leaving even a scratch.

  ‘That’s why the light magic is said to be so effective against it. Because light isn’t solid but a form of radiation!’ Still, unable to use light magic, this revelation didn’t help me at all with my current conundrum.

  The flame’s heat was most likely working too, but it probably wasn’t enough to seriously harm it. ‘Wait! Maybe I can use that…’ I widened my eyes as I realized a certain possibility.

  Previously, when trying to learn healing magic, I couldn’t figure out what the mage’s intent was supposed to accomplish. Well, I knew what it was supposed to do in theory; the book was pretty clear about it, but I could never make it work in the real world. ‘However, if I apply this new piece of information, it now makes sense…’

  Assuming that each person’s essence was attuned to a specific frequency, then the mage’s intent was probably some sort of an instinctual mechanism to harmonize the healer’s essence with that of the patient.

  ‘So, if I can somehow take advantage of that and use the mage’s intent to atune my flames to the same frequency the Wraith’s body is operating at… I will be able to burn the Wraith to smithereens!’

  Smiling at the idea, I quickly went to work to test it out. And while continuing to frantically evade the Wraith’s attacks, I focused my intent.

  Taking a deep breath, I shut my eyes and then, with the help of my magic sense, went to chase down the threads of essence leeching off me back toward its source.

  All the training I did over the years, trying to improve my magic control, wasn’t just to get better at magic. After a while, I realized it also helped to sharpen my mind and improve my concentration.

  So, despite the notion of observing and replicating the energy signature of an ancient, ephemeral life form would sound quite absurd just a year ago, I was now pretty sure I could do it.

  My world narrowed into the rhythmic thrum of magic and to the vast tapestry of essence blinking all around me.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  Of course, the Wraith didn’t stand still while I was doing this. Unable to move while I was in this hyper-focused state, its next attack ripped through my sleeve, drawing blood.

  I hissed in pain, but I didn’t let it distract me. I knew this was my only chance to win this damn test, so I simply clutched my teeth and endured. ‘There!’ Following the threads, I managed to locate the Wraith’s main body.

  ‘Now comes the hard part…’ I still couldn’t use my magic sense and cast at the same time, so I had to stop using it as a crutch and do it by feeling alone.

  Luckily, the Wraith was kind enough to continue sucking up to my arm, and I could feel its essence pulsing even without the magic sense’s help. I listened to its melody, trying to attune myself to its rhythm, like tuning a string on a violin.

  Next, I summoned the flames and let all my pent-up anger and frustration funnel into them, making them glow white-hot. The heat alone was enough for the Wraith to recoil a few steps back, although through all of this, he never let go of my arm, which was exactly what I was counting on.

  Because in the end, despite all its cunning, it was just a dumb monster, after all. Once I found the resonance, everything happened in a heartbeat. The fireball that erupted from my hand was different—paler, brighter, nearly blue-white. For a heartbeat, I thought I’d messed it up. But then, all at once, the oily blackness recoiled.

  The Wraith’s essence shuddered, and for the first time, the ghost screamed in agony. There was no audible sound, but nonetheless, I felt it in every fiber of my being.

  The tendrils of darkness clinging to my arm were the first to combust, turning into nothingness. The flames then followed their roots back toward the monster’s main body and promptly set it ablaze.

  It was truly a beautiful sight. A horrible, desiccated man-shaped void writhed and screamed at the bottom of the steps. By now, it had been forced to reveal itself in all its gruesome glory for everyone to see.

  I kept the pressure on, sweat beading on my forehead as I poured everything into maintaining the connection. The Wraith thrashed, its form collapsing inward, shrinking as the flames consumed it.

  Then, with one last high-pitch scream, the Wraith burst into nothingness, leaving behind nothing but a gust of cold wind that swept over me, fluttering my hair.

  ‘I won!’ I thought, smiling victoriously. The unnatural darkness likewise dissipated, and I was left standing before the majestic stone arch that was the exit gate.

  It was illuminated by the contours of an active magic circle behind it that would presumably take me back to the staging ground within the Tower.

  And on the floor, there was a bountiful harvest of tokens. Not only were there a whopping ten tokens for killing the Wraith. But also all the tokens left behind when the other challengers lost their lives and were teleported out.

  A drop-dead silence descended upon the hall. All the novices, be they noble or commoner alike, stared at me with open mouths.

  Well, I couldn’t quite blame them. From their point of view, it must have looked like I was just standing there, and then all of a sudden, a horrid-looking wraith popped out of thin air, only to explode into nothingness a moment after.

  Throwing a quick glance at the surprised-looking Tristan, I smirked and gave him a little wave before running toward the wide-open gate.

  After all, I had no reason to linger because it wouldn’t be long before the others collected their jaws from the floor and noticed all the free lying tokens on the floor.

  I didn’t want any part in the pandemonium that would commence in a few short moments, so I hurriedly grabbed a handful of tokens from the slain Wraith and jumped into the gate.

  After passing under the towering stone arch, I stepped onto the glowing magic circle and was whisked away. Before my consciousness faded, my last thought was, ‘This should earn me quite a few contribution points…’