Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Enthalpy of atomization depends on the strength of metallic bonding, which in turn depends on the number of unpaired electrons available for delocalization.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
1. Generally, as the number of unpaired d-electrons increases up to the middle of the series, the enthalpy of atomization increases.
2. However, Manganese ($Mn$) has a $3d^5 4s^2$ configuration. The half-filled d-subshell is exceptionally stable, which means the d-electrons are less available for metallic bonding.
3. Consequently, Manganese exhibits abnormally weak metallic bonding and has the lowest enthalpy of atomization among the elements of the first transition series (along with Zinc, which has no unpaired d-electrons).
Step 3: Final Answer:
Manganese (Mn) has the lowest atomization enthalpy.