Yup, manipulation has to be from character creation. Most of the times when you can earn manipulation in the game, you need to have more manipulation points first to meet the skill check. I only managed to raise manipulation to 110 from a beginning 75 point manipulation character. Or maybe you can get some manipulation after completing certain character's epilogues. Would love to also know if there is a way to get manipulation points up so I can play the sheltered princess route better!