Tentative Runic -> SwdMagic patch

C3/5203: A0915C      LDY #$5C91  (address at which you find the word "Lore")

This here is the pointer to the "Lore" string. The opcode for  LDY in hex is "A0", but you don't need to change that. Instead, see that #$5C91? The function that prints text strings finds the location of the string in the ROM by reading it from the Y register. LDY means "Load ____ into the Y register", in this case load the actual number 5C91h into it.

Have a look at address C3/5C91 again; it is the location of the Lore string you tried to change but discovered there isn't enough room. Since you can't change the length of the "Lore" string without eating up part of the "Rage" string, you need to relocate that string to somewhere where there's room for it. Scroll all the way down to the end of the disassembly and you'll see this:

Code:

C3/F091 - C3/FFFF: FREE SPACE!

If you look at that address in your hex editor, you'll see a whole bunch of "FF". Put your "Spirit" string there (including the positioning bytes from the "Lore" string and the terminator "00"), make a note of the address, and then change the pointer to that address.

So currently, without hex editing and just renaming Lore to Spirit in FF3usME, the skill submenu menu shows "Lore" as if I hadn't changed anything. While the status menu and the battle one show Spirit like I wanted.

FF3usME only changes the name of the command, which is what appears in the battle menu and status screen. The Skills menu is mostly hardcoded, so you need to change it manually.
There's another instance of the word Lore in the Skills menu (it looks like it's in the same place, but the whole screen is actually redrawn when you open a submenu). The string is located at:

Code:

C3/5C6B: 8D7B8BA8AB9E00        (position of and word "Lore")

Can you find the pointer? Hint: it works exactly like the first one.