The Heroic Tale of the Weakest Ability User ~The F-Ranker with the Dual Pistols~ - Chapter 1

Ken-sensei’s sharp words hit me like a starting gun at a race. Ouch. That stung. She’s as blunt as she looks, and while some might find her style appealing, I’m definitely not one of them.

“Anyway, Task, I’m taking the time to deal with someone as hopeless as you. Show some gratitude,” she added.

Her gaze softened slightly, as if realizing she might’ve gone too far. She looked away briefly before returning her focus to me.

“Sorry, I might’ve been joking around too much,” she muttered.

It’s true—she’s using her precious day off to teach someone like me. My careless attitude made me feel a pang of guilt. But just as I was about to apologize, she turned back to me with a mischievous grin.

“Just kidding!” she exclaimed, laughing at my expense. Her expression screamed, “Gotcha!”

I started packing up to leave.

“Wait, don’t go, Task! I’m sorry, okay?”

“Let’s get back to the lesson,” she said, clearing her throat. “Most ESPers awaken their abilities around the age of ten, much like how babies learn to walk. That’s why ESP Academy focuses on practical combat training.”

I jotted down notes as she spoke, then decided to tease her a bit.

“Sensei, I’m already seventeen. If my abilities don’t awaken, will you take responsibility for me?” I asked, half-joking.

Her reaction was priceless. “Wha—?! A proposal?! Here?!” she stammered, her face turning bright red. The sharp, composed Ken-sensei was nowhere to be seen.

“Uh, I was kidding,” I clarified, but her expression quickly morphed into something terrifying—furrowed brows, white eyes, and an aura of pure rage.

“Task!!!” she roared, slamming her hands on my desk. My notebook and pen flew into the air, landing on my head as I scrambled to apologize.

“I-I’m sorry! It was a joke!” I pleaded, bowing deeply in desperation. I didn’t want to experience her punches again.

“Do you think I’m still single at twenty-seven because I want to be?!” she yelled, her voice echoing in the room.

“I’m sorry! It’s entirely my fault for not knowing about your marital status!” I replied, bowing even lower. I felt like a character in a historical drama, groveling for forgiveness.

“Enough! Raise your head already,” she sighed, her tone softening. When I looked up, she gave a surprisingly graceful bow.

“Despite my flaws, I hope you’ll continue to tolerate me,” she said, her demeanor completely different from before. It was almost… cute.

“Uh, let’s take things one step at a time,” I replied awkwardly.

“One step at a time… okay,” she agreed, and the lesson resumed as if nothing had happened.

Ken-sensei continued, “ESP Academy is part of a national organization that trains and guides ESPers. Students spend five years in middle school, four years in high school, and three years in military training from ages sixteen to eighteen. Graduates often serve as covert operatives protecting the nation.”

As a seventeen-year-old in my final year, I couldn’t help but feel hopeless about my future. Without abilities, I couldn’t become a Special Soldier. My thoughts drifted to gaming strategies, but today, for some reason, I couldn’t shake my worries.

“Task!” Ken-sensei’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

“Y-yes?!” I startled. In my panic, I accidentally caught a glimpse of something I shouldn’t have, and her reaction was…

Ken-sensei’s sharp words cut through the air. “What’s your plan for the future? This is a mercenary school for ESPers, not a place to babysit someone useless like you.”

She gazed out the window, her expression softening slightly as she turned back to me.

I have the mark of an ESPer, but I’m powerless. I know I can’t stay an F-Rank failure forever. I’ve been trying to change, but accepting this unfair reality without a fight? That’s not me.

My goal is to prove that even someone like me can fight. To do that, I need to participate in the Rank Festival—a tournament where ESPers battle to showcase their strength. But I’ve never been allowed to join because I haven’t taken any practical combat classes.

For two years, I’ve been excluded. As the only F-Rank, unable to use abilities, I’ve been sidelined. A year ago, I’d almost given up. Watching others grow and shine while I felt trapped was painful.

I had resigned myself to failure and acceptedthat I couldnever compete in the Rank Festival and wouldnever improve. Every time I tried. I always fail— like a cruel hand cutting me down. That’s been my life for as long as I can remember—or at least the last five years since I lost my memories before coming to this academy.

But then, Ken-sensei spoke up, her voice cutting through my doubts.

“Even without abilities, I can see your potential. Your physique, your spirit—you have what it takes. Let me train you for the Rank Festival in three months.”

Her eyes were serious,unwavering, and embodying the strength of her name, Misaki Ken.

I was stunned. Last year, I’d begged my homeroom teacher, Yabuki, to let me join the festival. He didn’t even bother replying. Just because I couldn’t use abilities, I was barred from competing. The unfairness of it all had left me furious and defeated.

But now, Ken-sensei was offering me a chance. “I’ve already gotten approval from the higher-ups,” she said, lighting a cigarette. Her gaze lingered on me, as if gauging my reaction.

I thought I’d given up. I thought I’d resigned myself to this fate. But before I knew it, I was bowing deeply.

“I… I don’t have much guts, but please train me!” I said, my voice trembling with determination.

Ken-sensei smiled, her usual sharpness was replaced by a warmth I’d never seen before. “I know you lack guts,” she teased, laughing heartily. Her laughter was infectious, and I felt my own tension ease.

“Starting next week, we’ll train at my place. I’ll whip you into shape,” she declared, her smile is soft and surprisingly feminine. It was a side of her I’d never seen, and it made my heart skip a beat.

As the lesson ended, she handed me the key to the study room. “Once you finish your report, leave it on my desk in the staff room,” she instructed.

I never imagined that today would mark a turning point in my life.