Nice! Glad to hear that you are enjoying it, happy that the recommendation worked for you! Agreed about the armor. I did miss that. I did enjoy the weapon level ups and finding rings that worked well together. It was a good way to scratch the first person dungeon crawler itch.
No, I’m replaying 8 via the mobile remaster right now and that is what you can do and how the game essentially explains why it happens. It only works with Squall and Seifer as well.