You get three options to run Ubuntu server.
The first option is to run Ubuntu server in a VM, and most users will want to run Ubuntu server in a VM. Multipass is a tool that helps you run Ubuntu server in a VM. Multipass is just a front-end for KVM when you use a Linux distribution. If you use Windows, it is a front-end for Hyper-V, etc.
The second option is to perform a manual installation, which means that you get the ISO and do your thing.
Between the two, most people would want to install Ubuntu Server in a VM rather than on baremetal. I think it makes sense to put that first. If a person is a power-user, then can read on and select Option 2.
I see that there is a perceived negativity on anything Ubuntu that if something is different, it is perceived as something bad is happening.