Merit Marathon Madness

After fourteen hours of grinding in the Boyahda Tree at an appalling exp rate of 2k/hr, I managed to accumulate three merit points, and my Axe merits are now capped. The only combat-related merits that might improve my BST now are STR merits, so apart from those merits, I will not be grinding nearly as hard again. Since FFXI is currently undergoing server maintenance, I am praying that SE offers BST a little bit more than what they promised a few days ago.
































Notes:
a) "Grinding" in an online video game refers to some slow, repetitive process that is analogous to mashing solids to powder.
b) STR is one of the seven character attributes in FFXI. The following is a basic (and incomplete) outline of what each attribute does.

• STR: Strength (affects how hard one hits with a weapon)
• DEX: Dexterity (affects your critical hit rate)
• VIT: Vitality (affects how much damage you take)
• AGI: Agility (affects your ranged accuracy and how often you dodge hits)
• MND: Mind (affects White Magic potency)
• INT: Intelligence (affects Black Magic potency and your magic resistance)
• CHR: Charisma (affects your "Charm" success rate and song accuracy)