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I think that's not the case there, you we're accepted with the help of Merit from LoyceV/LoyceMobile,

As we all know LoyceV is a well known here for his/her quality posts that is beneficial to this forum and,
I think with that, it is already a proof that you have done well and it helped the Manager to conduct a fair decision.
My Merit doesn't mean I agree with a post, it also doesn't mean I endorse a post. It means I think the post is worth reading, and in this case Heisenberg_Hunter made a good point. Someone who received 0 airdrop and earned 104 Merit shouldn't be excluded if the requirement is 100 airdrop + 20 earned Merit. The requirement is based on the assumption that barely anyone ranked up thanks to Merit. That was valid right after Merit was introduced, but nowadays more and more people rank up on their own.