SSS Rank Sword Mage: Awakening Starts with Weakest Mana Affinity

Father watched the faint residue of mana from Ghost disappear into the air, a sad smile touching his lips.

"Yeah," he murmured, "Ghost is, and has been, one of the longest-serving Ambassadors of Central."

If I remembered correctly, Central was where disputes amongst kingdoms were settled—issues on territory, trespasses, and so much more. It served as the hub for diplomacy. Hmm, so Central had Ambassadors like Ghost this strong—Lord Zedd even called him a prodigy, which meant his disappearing into thin air was his own personal mana manipulation abilities. Looking at Morad still sound asleep in his bowl was still unbelievable. Could he really control his sleep or was he genuinely tired?

"But Father," Astraya asked, ever intrigued, "what really is an Ambassador? What do they actually do? Him and Lord Zedd looked to be close friends."

Father dusted himself off, his eyes serious now. "Each kingdom selects one talented mage, but once they're chosen, they're stripped of all ties to their homeland. From that point on, they serve only the Central Authority as neutral envoys. Their purpose is to mediate between kingdoms, not favor any side. They're meant to be the human face of balance."

"Wow, that sounds very important," Astraya said, looking even more interested in the role.

I also added, "The face of balance and neutrality. But do they actually stay neutral?"

Father replied, "Yes, they do."

Rose scoffed, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

Father then amended his statement. "Well, most of them at least. Some still secretly work to further their kingdom's interest."

"Which is why all that ambassador nonsense is just futile,Sir." Rose said with a snort. "You can't train away loyalty. Many of them still hold to their roots. Some remember the banners and the pride of their old kingdoms. you call it neutrality, but I call it acting."

"Well, I won't say you're wrong exactly, Rose," Father said, trying to make a point. "But the purpose of their job is to be peacemakers. Acting that part is a good enough act for everyone, wouldn't you agree with that? And besides, The Order monitors most Ambassadors, if not all."

'The Order' Father just spoke about? I had came across them. Hmm .

From what I'd read in the books Father gave me, the Central Authority was formed as a peacekeeping body, a sort of council of the realms. It was meant to stand above the five Great Kingdoms and the minor states, settling disputes before they grew into war.

Over the centuries, though, its power had waned. The Great Kingdoms—the so-called G5—had grown too strong, their ambitions too vast. Central remained respected, but not truly obeyed. Its influence survived mostly because of The Order, the enforcers of law under Central's command. They were the ones who kept the powerful in line when diplomacy failed.

The Ambassadors, however, were a different breed. According to the records, they were chosen through a ritual known as Detachment, which stripped them of their names, titles, and national allegiance. Once Detached, they became living emblems of neutrality—no longer of any kingdom, but of Central itself.

They served as mediators, messengers, and witnesses in high matters of state. Their mere presence carried the weight of law; their neutrality is why other kingdoms respected them.

"So Lord Zedd left without interfering with the missing people because Ghost, an Ambassador of Central, was present," I said slowly, piecing the logic together. "He didn't want to break the law of non-interference."

Father nodded grimly. "Exactly. But it's not just as simple as that. Ghost would normally need to escort them away from Manyblood territory, but Atherhall and Manyblood are still on good terms, so he won't need to be too strict about their movement."

And then it hit me. "Wait, what about Astraya's test and all the planning?"

Father explained, "Ghost planned all of it—even making this the meeting point for Lord Zedd. Everyone, including the Mayor, was informed about Lord Zedd and their arrival."

"Wow, all that planning was laid out! Wow, Astraya, lucky you. You got all that special Ambassador touch in your test!" I exclaimed.

Rose sighed. "But aside from that, Lord Zedd and Ghost go way back at the Atherhall Aromancer Academy. But I still don't know why Lord Zedd brought so many mages, especially A-rank ones at that, on this trip. It's unlike him," she wondered aloud.

Father chuckled. "He probably needed a crowd. As a royal, you can never be too sure, right?" he said, now becoming serious.

Rose replied, "I guess you're right. He never tells me anything."

Father added, "He was here for the test—and for Ghost—not for local troubles. Even the Great Lords tread carefully when entering unfamiliar territory."

And then all these talks about Ghost, Atherhall, and Lord Zedd finally hit me. Come to think of it, where the hell was my bodyguard? A literal royal from Atherhall was being compared to mine, who was literally in Manyblood's capital.

"Father, ahm, where is my bodyguard? You said and promised," I asked, trying to keep the frustration out of my voice.

Father rubbed the back of his head, chuckling nervously. "Honestly, she was supposed to be here before him. I wonder what's taking her so long. She did say she wanted to go finish up a quick mission."

Wow, a 'mission.' Astraya, so easily impressed.

"Yeah," Father added, "she is a bounty hunter, after all. Quite busy. This was supposed to be her last job, as she said she would catch up with us."

Rose, genuinely interested despite her despair, perked up. "A bounty hunter? They are usually strong. What's her position?" she asked, as though that single piece of information would change her life.

Father then said, simply, "Condottieri."

"Hmm, not bad. Okay, okay, I can work with that. Some of them are usually from A-rank upwards! That's good! I could learn from her," Rose said, suddenly finding a new glimmer of hope.

Yeah right, like I would allow that! I thought inwardly. If you want my bodyguard to teach you, you would have to go through the boss—me! I played the scenario in my head:

Scenario: Me: "Yeah, bodyguard, beat those thugs!" Bodyguard: "Okay, Master!" Heh heh, and the ladies would sing my name. Me: "Yeah, bodyguard! Use your body and shield me from that demon!" Bodyguard: "Okay, Master Astraga!"

Life was about to be sweet.

"Hel…" "Hello…"

"Astraga, you spaced out!" Astraya jabbed my shoulder.

"Ouch! I'm daydreaming here!"

Father then answered Rose. "Umm, she is an Elf, not human, meaning…"

"She isn't even a mage?" Rose looked as though her final thread of hope had been crushed.

Rose was clearly distraught. "I'm finished! My life is over!" she wailed, throwing her arms toward the sky. "Being able to fly is an A-rank mage skill in other kingdoms! But here in Atherhall, it's just the basic requirement to become A-rank! And now I have to learn it from a four-year-old child? I can't go home like this!"

She slumped, muttering darkly. "What could an Elf possibly teach me beside use mana tools and ruthless fighting?"

I almost felt bad for her; she looked like a complete mess. But I also felt bad for myself. Elves in this world didn't even have the prestige I usually read about. Crap, what type of person was coming to Blackroot?

Father, ever the calm voice of reason, replied, "Well, I believe Lord Zedd wants both of you to learn from each other."

"But no offense, sir—she's four!" Rose protested, gesturing toward Astraya.

Astraya stepped forward, sass fully restored after her rest. "No offense, old lady, but don't look down on me because of my age." She crossed her arms with a dramatic "tsk."

Rose's eyes narrowed at my sister's sass. "Coming from someone who couldn't even handle my arrows... You think this is a joke?" She looked stressed out, frantically biting her right thumbnail as she spoke. "Because of this test, if we both fail… I won't be able to return home! Everyone I know and love—now I'm stuck here with you… you guys! Unbelievable…"

I suggested lightly, "Why don't you just sneak back, ahn?"

"Oh, wow! Such a genius idea from the senior brother!" Rose replied, her face a mask of evident sarcasm.

Wait, was she being sarcastic? This…

That's it. I was going to speak my mind.

"Well, why didn't you just tell him no, huh?" I snapped. "You should have really told Lord Zedd your mind and not to punish Astraya! She has to teach you how to fly! Who really is being punished here? My sister, if you ask me! We wouldn't even be in this mess if Rose couldn't put her ego aside and listen! This whole situation was getting ridiculous."

"You tell her, Astraga! That's true!" Astraya chimed in, pointing at Rose.

Rose wasn't backing down; this indeed proved she was sixteen, as she became childish. "Yen yen yen. It's literally me being punished here! Why me? Why do I always get these situations? Why, just why?" Tears welled up in her eyes. "Lord Zedd, why? I'll never get home!" She dramatically looked at her hands. "I will probably grow old in this kingdom, living an unhappy life. Mother, Father, remember me!" She was being so dramatic.

Father quickly intervened before it got worse. "Rose, please don't blame my daughter."