the free increase happens whenever I want, basically. In the game, it's the effect of me aging enough to became wiser. If it happens while I'm level 13, I will benefit from it starting with the 13 to 14 levelup, when spts are added to the running total for the first time since.
As for going to the shop twice during a level, what for? If I buy 1Int and later during the same level 2Int (without using that 1Int in any way meanwhile since I didn't level up) i'd better have bought 2Int in the first place.