The four adventurers woke up and asked for an explanation.

So, I answered everything they asked.

I explained how I had scooped up Ivy at the festival stall and gave a detailed account of how she had grown over time.

When I told them that Ivy's favorite food was leafy vegetables and that she didn’t like meat, they were quite surprised.

As I was equally surprised by their reaction, the man in the white coat explained.

Apparently, turtles as large as Ivy are usually carnivorous and often aggressive.

They said that’s why they took the situation seriously and accepted the extermination request.

All four of them agreed that they had never seen a herbivorous turtle of such size before.

In reality, Ivy is omnivorous and can eat meat if necessary, but I kept that to myself.

Some things are better left unsaid.

"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Jennifer. I am an adventurer, but my primary occupation is as a monster researcher."

It seemed that this group of four adventurers consisted of Jennifer and his assistants.

He’s apparently quite a well-known scholar in the field of monster studies.

So, I asked him something that had been on my mind.

"Is it strange that Ivy’s growth hasn’t stopped?"

I had done some research myself, but I had never come across a turtle that kept growing.

I wondered if Jennifer might know of a species like Ivy, so I asked.

"It is unusual. In fact, this creature—your Ivy—isn’t an ordinary turtle. She’s a turtle monster."

Jennifer said Ivy was likely a new species of monster.

Typically, turtle-type monsters don’t grow to such an extent.

Although there are species of turtles larger than Ivy, those types are born large from the start.

He explained that there was no precedent for a monster that started as small as Ivy and then grew over several years.

"If you were to present her to the Royal Institute, you’d probably receive enough money to live comfortably for the rest of your life. If you’d like, I could arrange it for you..."

Upon hearing those words, I could tell that Ivy was startled.

And seeing her reaction, the four adventurers realized that Ivy understood human speech, which surprised them even more.

Don’t worry, Ivy. There’s no way I’d trade my family for money.

"I’ll have to decline. Ivy is my family."

"Hmm... Well, that’s understandable, given how you two interact."

However, we only understand that because we know a lot about monsters and have seen Ivy up close. If the adventurers’ guild heard about this secondhand, they might not take it as seriously.

In the worst-case scenario, more adventurers could come in large numbers to kill Ivy.

Hearing Jennifer’s words, I didn’t know what to do.

How could Ivy live a normal life?

It was a problem I had been grappling with for a long time.

Most monsters are said to be aggressive, but Ivy doesn’t like fighting at all.

In fact, she’s always been gentle, and her favorite thing to do is bask in the sun and nap with me, just like when she was younger.

If I stood by and did nothing, things might escalate beyond repair.

So, I bowed my head and asked Jennifer for help.

"Is there any way to make sure Ivy can live a normal life? We’ll do anything within our power."

Though Ivy doesn’t like fighting, she’s actually quite strong.

She can easily take down a rampaging boar in the forest, and she even crushed a violent bear that had just woken from hibernation under her feet.

She can also make herself lighter, and recently, she’s even started breathing fire and water from her mouth.

I wondered if Ivy could live as a monster that helps solve problems, such as dealing with dangerous situations.

Yes, perhaps... as an adventurer.

Jennifer laughed when he heard my suggestion.

"In that case, Bruno, you should become an adventurer. If you register as a tamer and register Ivy as your familiar, she won’t be treated as a dangerous creature anymore."

Of course, due to her size, her movement through towns might be restricted, he added.

Becoming an adventurer and doing things with Ivy—that idea fit perfectly into the future I hadn’t quite figured out yet.

I asked Jennifer for help in preparing for the day when I would become an adventurer and be able to take Ivy with me.

We went to Jennifer’s lab and registered Ivy as a new species of monster.

For the time being, we registered Ivy as Jennifer’s familiar, and he drew up a contract stating that she would be transferred to me once I became an adult.

I really caused him a lot of trouble.

Since I didn’t have much money, I was worried about how to compensate him, but Jennifer said,

"As long as I can include my name in the scientific classification of this new species—the Gigant Ivy Turtle—that’ll be enough."

I thought, "Is that really all?" but I agreed. Two years later, I discovered that Ivy’s species name had been registered as "Jennifer Jennifer Jennifer."

Turns out, Jennifer has quite a strong need for recognition.

Since then, there have been quite a few ups and downs...

But here I am, having safely turned 15, officially an adult.

"Mee."

And Ivy, who is carrying me on her back, lets out a cheerful sound.

She’s still growing and just recently became larger than my house.

I am now sitting on Ivy’s back, dressed for travel.

Today is my birthday.

It’s also the day I’ll become an adventurer and officially start my life as a tamer.

"Father, Mother, I’m off!"

"Take care!"

"Write us a letter!"

From Ivy’s back, my father and mother looked as tiny as grains of wheat as I waved to them.

Despite Ivy’s growth, my mother no longer called her a monster.

Both of them were celebrating our departure on this journey.

I kept waving until they were out of sight.

Actually, Ivy can now change her size.

But to show herself to the villagers, she’s intentionally walking at her full size.

Considering they once called adventurers to kill her, it wouldn’t hurt to scare them a little.

It’s a hassle having to take a detour around the forest, but... we can deal with that.

From now on, it’s just the two of us, and we’ll face whatever comes our way together.

I need to make sure my parents aren’t affected by any trouble.

"Let’s do our best, Ivy."

"Mee."

With a higher-pitched cry than usual, Ivy responded, "I’ll do my best too!"

Though she was walking heavily, there was hardly any sway at all. Her back was still as comfortable as ever.

And so, our life as adventurers begins—from here on out.