First playthrough? Once, I died in the Al Bhed Home because I got ganked by a Chimaera and didn't petrify him with Tidus OR Wakka. Then Yunalesca came along and killed me endlessly. All my other times were either in the Monster Arena, or deliberately attempting to kill myself.

I think at that point I had maybe 25 Sphere levels (Home), and 40 (Yunalesca).