Lorenzo’s expression did not shift as Griff was the first one to speak up, only met with a couple of heavy blinks. However, Elora was more affected, and placed a hand on her chest, her eyes averted as she blushed at the words of praise from the muscular man, feeling like she didn’t truly deserve it. Then, as Griff was about to head out, he was stopped by Serah of all people, eliciting a raised eyebrow from Ritsu. Lorenzo answered: “Hate me if you must, that is of no concern to me. But know this, Cadet Burnhardt: this is me at my kindest, giving you lot advice like this. You would not like to see how much of a jerk I can be,” he spoke, his subtle threat having been understood based on the tension that had built in the room. "But no need to go to the brig. That place stops being a punishment if you're so eager for it, lad."

Lorenzo then smirked as Lucius soon interjected, and nodded along with the young man’s analysis. “The Banana laddy’s not all monkey business, it seems. Right-o’, boyo.” He now dragged his eye to Serah. “I did mention this before, but a pilot’s true character is only truly known at the moment they clash with another. If I had you fight a virtual mission against Cruxi, you would only have learned how to pilot your own Frame better. But when opposed to your fellow comrade, you were forced to face their strengths, their weaknesses, and how they think when put to the test. Such knowledge is vital if you are to fight as a cohesive unit out on the battlefield. And who knows, maybe that knowledge can save your life,” he added in an absent-minded mumble as he briefly took a look at his papers.

However, while Lorenzo seemed almost pleased with lecturing Serah, his demeanour was considerably soured as Mema-Ka gave his explanation. Even Ritsu adjusted her glasses more out of wanting to distract herself than actually needing to reposition them. “There is upholding the chain of command, and there is also tactical sense. Only fools blindly follow orders without comprehending the ramifications they have. That said, the burden of blame is partially on Cadet Briars for giving the order in the first place. However, that is not an excuse for tunnel vision! You’re a smart lad, you can think for yerself.” 

He then brought back the footage of Mema engaging the dreadful reanimation of Crockroach. “The Cocksquid was far enough for defensive action to be taken before it would have approached within melee range. Besides, you put too little faith in your Framewerk, boy. They are not mere tools to be thrown away.” He slammed his hands on the podium, knocking over yet another research paper which Liisa diligently cleaned up. “They are the mighty swords of humanity, cutting down the Cruxi menace once and for all! You better give them respect! Or do I have to beat some into ya, laddie?” He stroked his beard with an evil grin.
“But it did give me an idea. There is a theoretical model I designed on a whim in VR…The Cruxi Fister. The team of Frames who can best me using that Frame gets to have a little favor granted to them. But if you lose, I’ll use the footage as lecture material, haha!” Ritsu blinked, clearly not having been ready to hear that announcement, but Lorenzo had already moved his attention to Arrish, who had interrupted with his boisterous laughter. He then announced a celebration with steak as part of the catering, to which Lorenzo nodded along with a stroke of his moustache.
“Hmm…I suppose you lads and lasses earned it. Lieutenant, see to any paperwork needed for it.” Ritsu’s eye twitched, but she immediately took out her device, and glanced as Arrish then left the room. “Yes, sir.”

Lorenzo nodded to Ava’s request. “Of course, Cadet Lane…Or should I say Corporal Lane now? I know you military types like your ranks, so I suppose I’ll give you and Bugatti a new one.” The old man, with a chuckle, next focused on Sparks, having ignored Zel-Ghin’s departure from the room.
“Hmm, yes, you can,” Lorenzo answered, followed by a sharp lift of a finger skyward. “You Metal Minds must be rearing to get to cranking again. But any changes must be approved before they will be integrated. You know the forms to get your requests approved, like the OOCGM protocol and so on. Oh, that reminds me,” Lorenzo turned back and snatched a paper from Liisa, who offered it to the man as if expecting his actions.

The old man turned around, and poked at the paper. “In light of this recent training, I have deemed an update to weapon systems acceptable. You may send in requests to have a single weapon system swapped out for another, restricted to system category. For example, you can swap a Primary System for another Primary, or a Secondary for another one of the latter. However, I’ll only allow systems from the standard list for swapping: can’t spend all of the budget on fuzzy dice and other customized nonsense.”

Elora, who up until that moment had quietly listened, blinked, as if woken by Lorenzo’s suggestion. “Oh, I know what I would wan-”

The entire room went quiet in a flash as Minerva, having reached the end of her patience, confronted Lorenzo. “Cadet!” Ritsu shouted out, outraged. The old man slowly turned towards her, as if he had only just now noticed her there. However, a sharp eye could tell that it was a mere facade: he had been completely aware of the Project Olympus prodigy since the very beginning of the evaluation, his eyes glaring at the young woman. Ritsu warily tapped her fingers on the top of her holster.

However, as Lorenzo was about to speak, Bug had intervened, and defused the situation before it had a chance to escalate. The old man nodded to Bug in approval, and then glanced towards Minerva.
“Cadet…Minerva…” He extended the words, with some subtle difficulty speaking the words out. “You should be grateful to Corporal Bugatti…he had quickly taken to his new responsibilities, babysitting you lot,” he spoke jokingly. However, his eyes lacked any humor in them. “In any case, I’ll let you off with a warning this time. But the next time you speak to me like that…” His eyes tightened, the gaze in them like fire. “You’re going to the brig. I won’t tolerate such rude behavior towards me again…even from an inheritor to [u]Her[/u] will. Understood?”

He looked down at his papers, as if waiting for Minerva to turn and walk away. But after a moment, he then looked back up at her. “...You were too reckless on the battlefield and got surrounded by the enemy when you should have stayed closer to your unit. There, the criticism you so love,” he added, as if to spite her. The mood, which had turned dark, soon brightened as Bugatti announced a round of drinks, and Elora lifted her elbows up in mild excitement upon hearing Stella mention the cake. “Oh, that sounds amazing! And, um, I guess I could have a sip…” she added afterwards awkwardly.

“...She never wanted to hear criticism,” Lorenzo mumbled in a half-breath as he grabbed his papers from the podium, preparing to leave. Ritsu saluted the group. “That is all. Aside from Corporal Lane, the rest may be dismissed.” “So, lassie, what’s on yer mind?” The old man asked as he tucked the papers haphazardly under his arm and took his walking cane.

Elora patiently waited for Bug to finish whatever he was busy with in the briefing room, and spent the time gaming with her device. As Bugatti finally walked out of the room, she glanced at him, gulped, and then spoke: “Um, mister Bugatti…Serah told me that you were going to give her some kind of present, but she wanted me to have it instead. She said she would, um, ‘forgive you for making fun of her’ if you do,” she clarified afterwards, making a surprisingly competent impression of the shorter girl.