Are you playing the PCE version? If so, are you using this guide?
http://www.gamefaqs.com/turbocd/563722-popful-mail-magical-fantasy-adventure/faqs
Ah, sweet, I didn't know there was a FAQ. Thanks; I had been looking at a video-walkthrough on nico, which is tedious.
I imagine on the whole the game is pretty short, as per Falcom standards.
there are videos on youtube too. Since this is an early game I can see where Square Enix got their "Final boss multiple fights" from... Other great thing about this game is that you can revisit anywhere in the game.