Banishment is what it is called when the monsters hit your "base" and start from the beginning. Putting points in banishment makes it take less mana away when that happens.
Wumtog, stop spamming. Bloodthirsty is best. Each tab of the skills is sometimes referred to as "job." The 5th is the "V" tab. Each level lasts until all the guys are killed. When you play a level notice the number under the right-most edge of your experience bar. It will go down with every bad guy you kill. When it hits zero and the boss is dead, the level ends.
Read my past comments for tips on 'S' ranking. If that method doesn't work, often a combination of that, using skip arrow, and/or B55 S.PIKE will do the trick. I've S-ranked everything except Return of Zakum.
Athena: Use Hurricane if you've got it. If not, Strafe can do the trick. Hurricane will make it easier but if you can combo -really well-, Strafe will get the job done.
Ascend: Reach a minimum of level 160 and 99,999,999 mesos. Max out the page 6 skill "Go Outside" (takes 11 points). Then go to shop, ???-Curiosity shop, and click ascend. Beat the ascendant (or hit him once then right click and select Forward).
I did. I also know how to get all the badges, including the secret ones. The difference between you and I...I'm not spamming the board with every thought that crosses my brain.
I don't know what it really means but its the '%' score multiplied by the integer of the stage. So for me my Green Snails Only % of 103.34% becomes just 103. And my Rainbow Snails of 131.24% becomes 262. Etc. etc.
Some levels you won't be able to 'S' before your 1st ascend. Though, you should be able to get most by using Pierce Arrow when you shoot up. On the levels I had the hardest time getting 'S' on, I used the B55 S.PIKE arrow. With a bit of luck you can get 100% acc and 100% repel using it. Since it bounces it counts all the time before it hits the ground as air time, which makes for a higher score.
 "Elona Shooter"){kind=icon}
 "Shields of Gemland"){kind=icon}
 "me and the key"){kind=icon}
 "GemCraft chapter 0"){kind=icon}
 "Bug War"){kind=icon}
 "Learn to Fly"){kind=icon}
 "Escape the Red Giant"){kind=icon}
 "Protector III"){kind=icon}
 "Electric Box"){kind=icon}
 "Castle Clout: Return of the King"){kind=icon}
 "Hunter Story"){kind=icon}
 "Aquacubes"){kind=icon}