I read Draygone's post, the one you see below and I thought to myself, could it be that the reason why the player couldn't battle in my friend's test game is as easy as that? Please tell me it isn't! Please! But no!

Draygone is right.

The reason why my friend couldn't get the character to use the weapon in battle was because the player was not positioned in the first row of the formation, and of course, players who wield swords need to be standing in the front row to use them.

So, in an attempt to cover over the erroneous information I had previously posted, and since once a poll has been voted on, it cannot be edited:

the last time I asked my parents to lend me money, I told them I would pay them back and they lent me the money needed. I paid them back later of course. So,

The question is Did telling your parents you would pay them back the money work for you the last time you asked to borrow money from them? and What kind of PS2 do you own?

You're absolutely certain that they're both positioned in the front row when attacking in your friend's case?