...How would they figure out if it's smarter than it's supposed to be? 

Not sure.

If it can understand language (and feels like cooperating), they could ask it to do something? 

A positive answer would be something, for sure.

And though a negative wouldn't rule much out - it's a relatively easy place to start. 

Reduces things to the easier problem of figuring out how to ask the question.

Yeah - which they can do in their next free period, or after classes for the day. 

Gotta concentrate on the material at hand so they don't fail this class.

It'd actually be interesting material too (shockingly enough), if not for all the mals trying to kill them, and if not for all the other students. (The class is, indeed, about magic theory, with some texts that look like they haven't seen the light of day in a thousand years (and are in correspondingly dead languages.))

It's what the Scholomance should be, El thinks.

Yeah, if there were windows and fewer horrible monsters and less stupid teenage drama... That library alone is a dream. 

Longing sigh.

Maybe they can tempt away some of those books, someday...

They'll make them a good home.

A beautiful library - possibly one open to the graduates of their quasi-enclave...

Could be a good incentive.

And it'll help with the post-Scholomance networking. 

Yep.

Speaking of - do they want to try to catch Liesel's attention as they're leaving class? (Everyone's currently busy with the latest assignment.)

Find out when's a good time to talk, anyway.

Sounds good to her. 

Then when they get up at the end of the period, El will attempt to catch her eye.

She drifts over to their group as students leave. 

"Hey. Got some proposals for you to consider."

"If they'll take time - either study period after lunch, or just going to the library after classes would work."