There is a jeweler in the main city who sells items that increase your stats. They cost money, but money isn't too difficult to come by unless you're playing with one of those initial challenges.
Honestly, that second fencer is vicious. I always just tried to kite him to death with Rurai. Plink him a few times with arrows, then when he gets close, switch to Lilia, jump away, switch back to Rurai, then kite him some more. I say Lilia because her jump speed is faster than even Elena's run speed with the sword sheathed, at least as far as I know. Dashing might also work for this, mind you. I just like the jump strategy, myself. Try not to let him pin you into a corner, and try not to gobble up the health items all at once (I'm pretty sure there are health items in a couple of the corners, save them for when you need them).
But yeah, if you're level 8, there's almost no chance in hell of killing that guy without some insane luck or boosted stats.
Also also, if you talk to other people in the city, you will find side-quests that unlock other things, and which usually give experience and money, neither of which is a bad thing.
Check out my Manamon text walkthrough at the following link:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/z8ls3rc3f4mkb … n.txt?dl=1