I managed to finish the first trial in first place with a 10 in knowledge, it wasn't that hard.
The first trial is interesting because you actually have several ways to get through some doors, it reflects the game itself in some ways : If you go all in in a stat or activity, you miss content or options, if you spread yourself too much, you will fall appart.
Like the game True Love 95, there is no easy mode, you either go through trials and errors (No pun intended) to get what you want, or you wait for a walkthrough.