1. Refresh after every battle if you don't want to watch the fight, plus it's quicker.
2. Free stamina is there, it is the fist under the stamina bar and I find it is very useful for your first Lab run. Pretty much makes it free.
3. PvP is fair, you obviously just don't know how to use runes and equipment.
4. They only took out gems from Noble Lady, not anything else.
5. Plenty of people have purple and gold heroes. If you keep trying, you will get them. You have better luck in Tavern than using your credits on a boss for boost.