you weren't allowed to melee because you needed to both rest for MP so that you could cast Refresh (and Haste once that came into the picture) and level correction wrecked your melee damage (even with Enspells) to the point of uselessness.
Maybe for some, but I was one who stood in defiance to all that and got ahold of gear/food to push through and make it happen anyway. Got me a reputation with certain individuals to seek me out specifically first if available before picking from habitual backliners.

Which comes to the summary of my gripe with this version of Red Mage...not enough swordplay.