I think double marks for casters accomplishes the distinction for caster classes well enough. Merchants, Farmers and Mindcrafters really aren't in need of a combat nerf, even if it is in flavor. Besides, the hero of a fantasy adventure can ALWAYS learn to be good in a fight, even if they have humble beginnings!
Maybe reduced marks for Fighters instead would be a nice touch, but I think this suggestion is a bit overly complicated, both in terms of implementation and in terms of intuitiveness the players. It also doesn't add any fun as I see it.