Queens High School Gymnasium, Graduation Day
Hundreds of names.
Polite claps.
Unenthusiastic whoops from seniors who just wanted to be done.
Ashan sat in the back, 135 pounds now. His arms didn't bulge through the gown, but his frame was tight. Dense. Earned.
"Ashan Korr."
He stood up.
Walked with purpose.
One of the teachers, a former coach, gave a subtle nod as he passed.
"Good work, son."
Ashan accepted his diploma with both hands.
That was it.
No spotlight. No scholarship.
No "Most Improved" or "Best Comeback."
---
Bleachers Outside, 40 Minutes Later
Ashan sat alone at the edge of the bleachers, watching families take photos and toss caps in the air.
He scrolled his phone and saw a message.
Jerry Tyson:
"CONGRATS, GRADUATE 🎓💪🔥 NOW GET BACK TO WORK."
Then:
[Photo Attachment – Jerry with two black eyes, grinning in Tokyo again]
Ashan smiled.
Then exhaled. A long one.
He looked down at his hands.
Still not fast enough.
Still not strong enough.
Still no wins under his belt that really meant something.
But…
"I didn't quit."
His mind flashed back to that lonely version of himself at 15. Overweight. Lost.
Then the memory of Jalen saying: "You move different now."
Then the street fight.
Then the loss.
Then the weight cut.
The circuits.
The garage.
The lifting
The wrestling team
The gym.
"This version of me? I fought for it."
He stood up.
No one cheered.
No cameras clicked.
But for the first time in his life…
Ashan Korr walked off with his head up.
---
Project Dragon, Day 260
"Graduated today. No parade. No celebration." "But I'm proud." "Fighting saved my life." "Next chapter… begins now."