Improving Magic with Bioware, Is it cheaper? Options

[nathanross]

Hello, me and my GM were arguing about how much Karma it costs to increase Magic that has been lowered by Bioware or Cyberware.

In 3rd this was easy, since Magic was Essence+Initiatory Grade-1/2 Bio Index rounded down.

Now since you have to pay for magic seperately, at new Magic rating x 3 karma, with a max of Essence + Initiatory Grade rounded down, how much do you have to pay to increase it if it has been dropped by bioware?

He says that there is a total Magic attribute that you improve that is then lowered by bioware, so that if you were at 5 and took some Muscle Toner that lowered your Magic to 4, to increase Magic to 5 you have to pay 18 karma, as if you were raising it to 6.

I say you only have to pay to raise it 5, so only 15 karma.

Can someone clarify this? Ive read through BBB and can find no mention of how improving magic is any different than any other Att. On a side note, if you increase Agility with Muscle Toner, how much do you have to pay to increase Agility, the pre-augmented value, the post-augmented value, or can you not increase it though training?

Please give page numbers.