Hmmm. I could do the role play as limitations route but it would be a sharp diversion from established gameplay. I did notice a couple things. The 1+ metamagic isn't the problem. It's the plus zero. There may also be other metamagic reducers I d know about.

Last thing I need to talk to the player about using setting books as sources. Cityscape, fserum, etc etc are all heavily restricted in most campaigns for a reason.