Help training my merc

[moop]

I decided to make a meteorb sorc using Sasja's guide. The only problem I'm having, is training my merc. Even when I do it in private games, he's getting ridiculously slow exp.

Do I have to let him kill the monsters for him to get exp? Or what's the deal. He's level 12 atm I think, I'm level 25. The guide said to keep your merc your level, so I'm trying to do it but having a really hard time.

Your help/strategies are appreciated

[The Cow King]

Hire a new one, merc lvl is always 1-5 lvls below yours when you hire a new one.

[moop]

I think I'm just going to ignore the defiance merc and skip to the holy freeze one