Question about starting Trails oin the Sky SC

Hi! I just finished Trails in the Sky FC, and it became probably my favourite game so I'm really excited to start SC (which I bought this steam sale). And damn what an ending to FC!

But i have a question, i started a save file in SC and loaded the clear save data from FC. Should I have done this?

Because Estelle now is level 40 at the start. Will the game become much more easy than if I didn't? Should I have started in hard instead of normal? I don't want the game to become too easy, i found the first game in normal to be just perfect.

And also, what are the perks of using the save data from the first to start a game in the second? I heard some NPC sidequests will remember you and such.

Last question, what level would Estelle start if I hadn't use the clear data from the first? Level 1? Without the crafts and S-crafts? Would the game become much more hard and challenging?

If I continue to use the clear data from the first should i play in normal or hard?