It wouldn't be the first time an opponent had tried that trick on her. Nanoha's head whipped around as she caught the sound of the groaning metal, and extended her other hand - on her injured arm, which made her fight a wince - to create a second shield to hold the impact off.

"Why do you talk to women like that, anyway?" Nanoha's tone seemed conversational, a little grit in her voice the only indication that she was managing two shields at the same time. In the next instant, before Julian could respond, she squeezed the hand operating the shield facing him into a fist. "Barrier Burst!"

The shield detonated in a point-blank explosion of magical energy aimed directly at Julian and his own barrier.