Nero was not surprised that Wendy had a different fighting style. Her innate ability allowed her to coat any sharp edge with a venom. It was an extremely potent ability, and she had learned how to use it well. Even her fighting style was adapted, by the school instructors, so that she would have the best possibility of slashing someone with any sharp edged weapon. In case she had no weapons, then even her nails, or the edge of a card would do.
Thus, while everyone else who fought hand-to-hand did so with the intention of landing solid, stable hits, she had a very agile fighting style, allowing her to dodge attacks while landing small, seemingly insignificant nicks. Of course, in this situation where her venom was not available, she altered her style slightly to land light jabs. Oh, and her nails were incredibly sharp so she could still land a few cuts with those.
