As said in the topic, you can rebirth for free, putting you back to level 1, and rechoosing your age. Thus, you can just do that then get the skills you like.
This. Even if this wasn't true, you did not mess up at all.
The only problem is your sharp mind level. I've heard that it's glitched, and lower ranks work better.
True or not, when you get better you don't even need sharp mind, as you learn how enemies behave.
You should get windmill - talk to Rbrown townd at the school in Tir about skills. The sooner you rank up windmill, the easier it will be.
And I would recommend you learn icebolt, as ice counter is the most useful strategy I've found, you can take on almost anything doing it. Hit with an icebolt, go straight into counter, as soon as counter hits, charge icebolt and repeat.
Just for comparison, here's my skills.
Not on screen because I have too many, and not enough time to crop together two :
Combat Mastery - Rank 9
Sharp Mind - Rank A :x
Critical Hit - Rank B
Smash - Rank E
Counter attack - Rank F
Rest - Rank F
Defense - Rank D
Campfire - Rank F
