1. No academy, no reward system, but dont worry, after 2.0 update there will be reward system and even if u are 60 lvl by that time, you still gonna receive all rewardsfrom 1-50 probably.
2. I would take 2h sword untill 40+, after that buy pole and look for aoe pts. But the best thing to do is to have pole, 2h sword, some hammer for stuns, bow for rb partys, yea destro inst cheap to stack ;).
3. Destro can solo cheaper than tyrant. Destro has skills to heal himself every several minutes so he doesnt spend much adena for potions. Alsodont exp on blue mobs cos they wont drop sdena and they give shit exp. The best way is to exp on white mobs. Get se/wc for duo with u when u go exp or make ur own box, you need vampirc rage. Destro is very good solo pve class.
4. No herbs, only 20% exp bonus herbs at 1-40 lbls.
5. No quest for weapon. There is armor queston 25 lvl.