Defeat in the individual combat exam did not equate to a score of zero. If losing really resulted in a zero, the exam would be a joke. Individual combat was a lottery-drawn one-on-one match. So, this type of scoring would mean that half the school would pass, while the other half failed with zero points. Anyone with even an ounce of common sense knew that such a system was entirely unfeasible and ridiculous.

The scoring in the individual combat exam was based on a student's performance during battle. If they did well, even if they lost, they could score only one or two points lower than the student who won. If someone defeated a stronger opponent through wit and strategy, they would often receive an even higher score.

The reason Nora scored only 20 points in individual combat assessments was that she surrendered very quickly. Sometimes, when one knew they were no match for the opponent, surrendering was also a strategy. Surrendering fast could also increase one's chances of survival. Because of that, Nora had always comfortably secured those 20 poi...