in combat mana stops recharging after turn 25 or so?

[Stepsongrapes]

This thread, just a little ways down on this very sub-forum, will help save Ryastar some typing:

http://forum.1cpublishing.eu/showthread.php?t=6115

As to not going more than a few rounds, it simply means you're not playing to optimize score by minimizing/eliminating loses or completing in the fastest time on the overland map.

Players who go for many rounds tend not to be doing it because they have to, they're doing it as part of a strategy.