With your direction I have solved the issue!!
TL;DR check your System 2 font size if you've changed it the game is equating for that.
I realized that no matter what font I put in message boxes were borked so I scrounged around until I realized I never reset my original text value to 28 from 60 and as a result the letters ended up layering over eachother as spacing was fuzzy. While doing so I also realized the typeface I was using asked that it only be used in written non commercial works. for which my game is not the former so I'm doubly thankful as you've saved me the headache of usecase issues as well.
Moral is to always default your system before engaging plugins. Thank you for your help!