Juliette was not completely supportive with the idea of splitting up. It meant forming teams with those she barely knew and she didn't really even trust them. There was a chance that any one of them were causing the disturbances or at least aiding the person behind them in some way. She observed their expressions, trying to detect any form of deceit. Perhaps it was one of the other three who had left the room and were supposedly trapped because of the angry seagulls?

[i]It's more likely to be that S-rank student,[/i] she thought, frowning down at the table in front of her as the others decided on plans around her. [i]I don't need to go with them to search for the source. I just need some materials to get a circle ready and detect magic in the atmosphere...[/i]

[i]"...ahahahaha. You must be having a lot of fun, whoever you are."[/i]

Hiro's words made her look up towards the entrance where he was staring. The creature blocking the doorway was one she had only vaguely read about in books. Its name evaded her memory, but that was not what she was focusing on at that moment. Juliette was slowly beginning to get up from her seat, one hand on the conference table beside her as her lips moved silently.

Just as the manticore roared and leaped at her, the table would spring up in its direction, blocking its path. The creature crashed into the table and went right through it, knocking Juliette to the floor. The ineffective shield had only helped her avoid the true force of its attack and the hybrid creature shook off the wood splinters, giving an ear-splitting roar once more as it refocused its attention on its victims.