Son, I was playing the Ps1 version since I was 11 years old.
I also go to random battles in Mandalia Plains, in the beginning of chapter 2, with a thief with mad abilities learned, to rob Knights with more advanced equipment. I even get the likes of the Rune Blade and the Light Robe and the Crystal Helmet before the 3rd story battle of Chapter 2. I done had Ramza learned Monk reaction like Counter (weapon), Move + 2 from Thief, and so on. Ramza done wiped out and poached mad animals with 2 other offense party members with Squire job class. Those stories battles were a joke when I was level 40 and enemies were on level 12.