Entering the clearing in a sprint, Kaito now gained a full view of his targets: two golem-type beasts and one goliath-type beast, arranged in a triangular formation with the goliath at the front.

< Golem-type: Rank 2 Threat | These beasts are about one story tall with large, durable bodies made of crystalized corrupted energy. They have a singular 'eye' embedded in their heads, within which their core is located. Their movements are sluggish, but pack a powerful punch capable of dealing mortal damage to an unguarded human. >

< Goliath-type: Rank 3 Threat | Considered the upgraded versions of golems, goliaths wield a large, rough club with the same durability as a golem's body. These beasts are 1.5x the height of a golem, with a slimmer, yet still durable body. Their core bears the same features and placement as their weaker counterparts. While wielding a club, a goliath's swing is capable of demolishing a fortified steel wall. >

As an invisible energy that permeates the air from a higher plane, mana acted as both the fuel for and crux of magecraft. Although all mana functions as an energy source, each individual posesses unique mana attributes, typically only shared sparsely through lineage or rare occurence, that allow them to tap into that respective frequency of natural mana. Having been isolated from the mana flow, a natural stream of mana that replenishes consumed mana in the five realms, the use of mana-consuming magecraft had naturally gone extinct over the centuries since World Zero's creation. To adapt to these conditions, humans developed auras, a technique involving the cycling of external mana in a current around them, augmenting certain capabilities depending on their mana attribute.

Despite having no experience against actual corrupted beasts, Kaito's years of training against Kouki's steel aura gave him the strategies he needed to fight more durable beasts like these. However, the knowledge Kaito had gained from training paled in comparison to what he learned from Hanakawa's archives, having memorized the strengths and weaknesses of every corrupted beast he could encounter in eager anticipation for his initiation.

Enhancing strength, speed, and reaction time with his spirit aura, Kaito dashed towards the golem on the left, having already formulated a plan for the situation. 

Now that the enemy was in range, the goliath reacted, swinging it's club back in preparation to strike Kaito.

Expecting the goliath's reaction, Kaito never struck the golem, but instead leapt upwards over the head of the golem.

Unable to adjust the course of it's club's trajectory, the goliath shattered the head of the golem, causing it's body to crumble and disintegrate soon after. 

Now behind his targets, Kaito retreated towards the edge of the clearing while the beasts lumbered slowly in pursuit.

The goliath, being slightly faster than the golem, eventually gained the lead, creating a line formation that gave Kaito the signal to execute the next phase of his plan. Dashing forwards once more, Kaito soon arrived at the feet of the goliath, where it attempted once more to strike him. This time, Kaito slid on the ground between the goliath's legs to enter the range of the golem. 

The golem instinctually swung towards Kaito, who easily evaded the rather slow attack by leaping into the air once more. Yet, according to plan, the golem had now struck the goliath, which was still lifting it's club from the earlier swing, in the back, causing small cracks to spread across it's body.

Kaito switched to the offensive, gathering a coursing force of azure mana around his right arm and striking down on the weakened goliath with his descent. 

The goliath's body shattered, yet it's head remained intact. With an undamaged core, a corrupted beast would soon regenerate. 

Picking up the goliath's dropped club with augmented strength, Kaito dealt a decisive swing on the fallen head, crushing the core without a trace. 

Typically, when a corrupted beast is destroyed, there is a brief delay for it's weapons or armor to disappear after the body. 

A three second long opportunity.

Within these three seconds, Kaito focused his aura into his legs, lunging forth at the remaining golem and shattering it's core before all remaining traces of the corruption vanished from the clearing. The Wave Event was cleared.

In the year 768, Kaito had passed his initiation into the village sentry.