Van Was about halfway done with his workout when he noticed Max walking towards the track as he was running in that direction in the moment.
Max must have noticed him too because he started to wave him down frantically. Van wondering what could get Max become so stirred continued in his direction meeting him at the north side of the track that led back to the student dormitories.
"Hey Van… follow me real quick…" Max said while looking over Van's shoulder to see who all was watching him.
"You need to pretend to be exhausted.." Max added under his breath noticing a few people we're looking in their direction.
Van was confused but knowing that Max wouldn't do things without reason he played along as he started gasping for air with his hands on his knees. It was good Max was quick and decisive with his words had he taken longer to say what he needed Van's actions would have looked completely unnatural.
Max hooked one of Van's arms over his shoulders and made it seem more believable that he was helping a tired person off the track.
[The host has increased his Endurance, Speed, and strength by 1 point due to his exorcise.] The voice of the system sounded in his ear.
…
In the HR center, which was a tall business like skyscraper at the center of the orphanage a man in a suit was sitting in a high tech office chair in front of a large screen that had multiple of the orphans profiles with a second screen that said confirmed awakening, and a third one saying suspected awakening.
Max and Vans faces and profiles could be seen by the screen that said suspected awakening, and if they were here right now they'd see the people that supposedly had been selected by families by the confirmed awakening screen while the last screen was simply there so he could compare all the profiles to try and get an idea of who else would awaken in the future.
"Interesting.." The man said as all the screens disappeared and it changed to a camera view of Max helping Van somewhere.
…
Max and Van went back into the dormitory where they then went into Max's room all the while unaware they were being watched up until the point they got into the room.
The orphanage probably wanted to place cameras in the rooms as well but they felt that if they did that it would raise serious moral and ethical questions despite they were basically farming children for their abilities.
Once they entered the room Max said "F#%*, bruh I've never seen you on the track ever a day in my life and I was here the day you arrived!"
Van was confused and felt like Max was blowing his actions out of proportion. "What's the big deal I decided I wanted to exorcise I need to get stronger and exorcise is a sure fire way."
Max Facepalmed and sighed. "It looks like you don't get it, let me explain to you. They are watching every single thing we do every subtle change, our routines, who we talk to even what we like to eat. And YOU are already on their watchlist."
Van had an understanding expression as he finally understood why Van had ran out and frantically got him.
[The missions tab has been updated, host should check when available.]
Van quickly clicked the missions tab…
[Missions]
❗️[Escape the orphanage with max before doctor vixen comes back in 1 week. Reward: 5 skill points, 100 shop points and unlock system shop. PENALTY FOR FAILURE: host will be dissected and have his organs transplanted into other people]
[OPTIONAL: Exorcise daily, 10km run, 133 Push-ups, 133 squats, planks for 10 minutes.
Reward: 10 shop points for everyday the host completes exorcises.]
Van was shocked seeing that his time limit went from a month to a week he thought they'd have some time to practice absorbing energy and get used to having a new energy source in their bodies. But this change meant that they basically had to get running now.
Van looked at Max while cursing internally. "Max i think we should leave before this week is over I just feel like things aren't going to go well if we stay here any longer."
Max was slightly surprised that Van was telling him they should leave so soon. He had already made preparations to leave as he had secured his place in moon blossom city.
"I guess… did you ever do that thing you said you had to take care of, by the way what was it?" Max asked probing Van's own preparedness.
"Yea I did it as soon as we got back, but I was basically fully awakening my abilities that's all." Van replied.
Max was intrigued, "By the way what is your ability I don't think you ever told me?" He asked.
Van thought for a moment and only decided to tell him about his Lightning affinity not wanting to say he awoke a time affinity just for him to not be believed.
"Nice man, uhh whenever you have time come get me and I'll take us somewhere else for us to practice absorbing energy." Max said, after he said this they spoke about some minor things involving their plans and Van left heading back to his room to freshen up.
…
In the HR building the man was reviewing footage of Van running around the track at Olympic athlete speeds, and also had brought up footage of the two disappearing from where they were on two seperate occasions.
He pulled out his phone and dialed someone, "Hello, yes mark down Van Magnus and Max Vermont as confirmed and then he hung up the phone while he continued to review footage.