This realisation does seem to slowly come to him when Hythlodaeus brings up the topic of their childhood. He exhales tiredly, rolling his eyes upwards.

"Mine is alchemy. The ability to transform matter from one form to another. I suppose 'tis not unlike creation, in a sense..."

Not quite something from nothing but close enough. But it is also a different sort of alchemy than what he is accustomed to.

"What does cognitive magic entail?"