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At Takamiya-san's approval, I promptly moved to test the skill.
When I activated it, a smartphone appeared in my hand, the same one that allowed me to access «Friend Gacha». Albeit, this time it had more interface than just gacha screen which I was earlier locked to.
By switching up, the interface for Team Formation popped up.
"Since we're in a party, you're already registered, huh."
"Woah—it's like the chibi version of me. You're right, it's really a gacha game. Though it seems fun."
There were three slots for team formation, and alongside them four icons for various adjustments. Just as I suspected, it wasn't a skill meant to strengthen me.
"«Armor», «Dress», «Skill», and «Training». There are these four options."
I tapped on the weapon icon, and promptly, an empty square appeared below it.
"What does it do?"
"Ah, there's a help icon."
"What's with this absurd level of convenience?!"
According to tips, I need to first tap on the square box, then bring the smartphone near the weapon the selected party member was holding.
"Does a shovel count as a weapon?"
"Let's try and find out."
I followed the steps, and—*Poof*, shovel break down into particles of light before being absorbed into smartphones.
"Wow!"
An excited squeal escaped from Takamiya-san as I made the shovel reappear again.
What was even the meaning of the skill? Confused, I turned to help once again, and it gave me surprising information.
"It appears the original item is registered as an equipment, and what I just made appear is a copy of it. Furthermore, even if this gets destroyed, I can manifest another copy."
"What, is that so?! That's really incredible......"
"Well, there's the limitation though. Only one copy can be out at a time, and another copy wouldn't just automatically pop again if it gets destroyed. I will have to manually operate my smartphone to make it so."
"That's barely a dent compared to the effect."
"...And I can't use it on myself."
Seriously, in what world do you get a skill where it doesn't benefit you in any form whatsoever?! I wanted to cry.
"Wait a minute! There was also the icon for «Dress», right? I-Is it possible to make a copy of the clothes I am currently wearing?!"
"Hmm? .........Ah, It's possible."
"That's terrific, Senpai! Please register the clothes I am wearing as well!"
"Alright."
It was like a perfect counterpart to «Dress Damage», the latter destroyed the cloth, while the former returned them to their fresh state. The synergy was incredible.
......But, perhaps because we both were occupied with the effect of my new skill and its convenient ability, we'd forgotten a crucial fact in all that—like how the shovel had disappeared.
I brought my smartphone closer to Takamiya-san, and like earlier, her clothes dissolved into particles of light... alongside her underwear.
"Huh?... Kyaaaaaaahh!!!"
"Wah?!"
In a moment, Takaymiya-san was completely naked, though the silver glimmer was that the light effect had blocked the view to certain parts, and then Takamiya-san hurriedly wrapped her arm around herself.
—*Pop*.
I made the clothes re-appear, just in the state they're earlier, but the earlier merry air had long disappeared, replaced by an awkward silence.
"......Did you see?"
"I know my words will not have the weight, but I really didn't, at all."
"..............................Very well, I will believe in you, Senpai."
At the end of long silence, she somehow swallowed the situation, and with a wave of hand, adjusted her posture.
"I fear we both had forgotten that would happen due to my demerit skill, so it's better to forget it. I was just as careless for this negligent."
...I wonder if I could really forget that scenery?
"Please delete it entirely, alright!"
"I will do my best."
"Ugh......"
Takamiya-san jabbed at me with her fists, though all so with force that instead seemed to tickle me. For what it was, I didn't interrupt her.
"Next is skill. I wonder what it do?"
"It seemed to have my skill, and derivative skills recorded. From that, I infer this explains your allie's skills."
"This sure is anti-climatic given the effect of earlier options."
"It's against manners to investigate the skill of others without permission. I think it'd be better to keep it a secret from others."
"Not like I have any party to join to begin with."
I know I said it myself, but this really stings.
"And the last one is training, though that's a bit..."
"A bit what?"
"The earlier effects were only limited to things like weapons and clothes, but this seems to affect you this time. So, I am not quite sure about it."
"I think you're worrying too much, Senpai. I don't think it would be anything harmful, and if it's literally what it says, then it should be instead strengthening me. I really don't see any reason to turn down such an offer."
"You believe so? Alright, it would not be fair to not give it a try then."
This time, I tapped on the «Training» icon, and it showed me a pop up, informing me I needed to select the necessary item first. I see, so the training seemed to be done at the expense of this item.
"I never found out what was even the purpose of «Seed of Growth», perhaps now is the time, eh?"
"Ah, the item exclusive to your skill."
"And yet, I can't use it on myself~."
Well, on the contrary, since I had no fate with it, it'd be meaningless to keep holding on to them. It pained my heart to use rare items, but I hardened my resolve, and went along. Though, to be honest, I wasn't really regretting that much. These «Seed of Growth» were also the most "common" rare drops, and due to that, I had 80 of them.
It was quite a curveball though. I had thought these were those, you know, duds drop. Who would've expected them to come in use so suddenly.
"I'm starting then."
"Yes, please."
It’s time. Let’s see whether they’re just coal, or diamond in coal!