leveling up is easy on this game. you only need 99000 exp to get to level 100 and thats lower than any other FF so its not a particularly big challenge to get sqall to lvl100 before getting quistis. in the training centre you can get about 300 exp per battle so 3-4 battles there would mean your 1% to your target already. on FF8 i always level up top make it more challenging and also to make it easier to get more health.